Bacteria and Life Processes-II Metabolism

Abstract

A bacterial cell is a true example of an independent living cell, such that a single cell is capable of exhibiting all life processes. These life processes depend upon the flow of energy and materials during which the energy generated gets redistributed so that the cells can grow, multiply and carry out other cellular functions as described in Chapter 5. In this Chapter, the chemical reactions accompanying this energy flow and redistribution that collectively define the process known as cellular metabolism will be discussed. The simple organization of the bacterial cell and its amenability to grow on simple synthetic media has made them the organisms of choice to study different aspects of metabolism. Although simple, bacteria exhibit an extreme range of diversity in their metabolism that has helped them to live just about any where and feed on just about anything. There are three main components of metabolism: (i) A complex network of chemical reactions employed to generate and capture energy and raw materials from the environment (catabolism), (ii) Using these raw materials and energy to synthesize cell components that will allow cell sustenance (anabolism), and (iii) Regulation of the metabolic processes so as to exert utmost efficiency of the first two processes.