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Chemical Unity and Diversity in Bacterial Catabolism

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Bacteria in Nature

Part of the book series: Bacteria in Nature ((BANA,volume 3))

Abstract

The theme of this chapter is bacterial metabolic diversity. The wide range of catabolic activities displayed by bacteria is emphasized and interpreted according to the principles established for abiotic chemical systems. Before this remarkable catabolic versatility is discussed, however, it is useful to note some biochemical features that bacteria share with other living forms. The role of catabolic sequences in the life of the bacterial cell is also mentioned and is compared with the function performed by microbial enzymes in maintaining the degradative segment of the terrestrial carbon cycle.

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  1. Department of Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA

    Stanley Dagley†

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  1. Stanley Dagley†
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  1. Brooklyn Campus, Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York, USA

    Jeanne S. Poindexter

  2. The University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA

    Edward R. Leadbetter

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Dagley†, S. (1989). Chemical Unity and Diversity in Bacterial Catabolism. In: Poindexter, J.S., Leadbetter, E.R. (eds) Bacteria in Nature. Bacteria in Nature, vol 3. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0803-4_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0803-4_4

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