Seminar: Microbial growth and metabolism
This
unit’s Seminar will examine some of the requirements needed for growth of
microbes. In addition, you will discuss the important processes of microbial
metabolism. Growing microorganisms can be a tricky business, and eliminating
their growth in undesirable places can prove to be equally as challenging.
Knowledge of their growth and metabolic requirements provides a foundation that
can be used to effectively culture bacteria, and prevent their growth when desired.
Come
to Seminar prepared to discuss the following questions:
1.
Provide three examples
of physical requirements and three examples of chemical requirements for
bacterial growth in the lab.
2.
Considering these six
examples, what places in your home offer an optimal environment for bacterial
growth? Why?
3.
Review the process of
carbohydrate catabolism and compare cellular respiration with fermentation.
a.
If cellular respiration
makes more fuel for the cells, why wouldn’t all bacteria use this method?
b.
What are the by-products
of bacterial fermentation and how do they benefit humans?
4.
Describe the process of
bacterial identification using biochemical tests. How does knowledge of
microbial metabolism allow a microbiologist to use these tests when identifying
an unknown?
Option 2- Alternative Assignment:
Write and submit a short paper in APA format
with the correct use of in-text citations and references. Include a
well-developed introduction and conclusion in your paper. In a 500-word paper,
discuss the questions in option 1.
