Dept. of Chem. Eng., UM Dr. Adeline Chua S. M.

KIL 2010: Biochemistry (Semester 2, 2019/20)

Exercise 1
Microbes Domain Type of Energy Example Carbon Example Classify based on Classify Industrial
of cell source of energy source of carbon energy & carbon based on applications /
microbes source source source oxygen Role in nature
requirem
ent
Yeast Eukaryote Unicellular Organic Glucose Organic Glucose Chemoorganoheterotr Aerobes Making bread /
Chemical carbon ophs and Natural decomposer
s anaerobes
Aspergillus niger Eukaryote Unicellular Organic Glucose Organic Glucose Chemoorganoheterotr Aerobes Production of citric
chemicals carbon ophs acid / Cause ‘black
mold’ to plants
Penicillin Eukaryote Unicellular Organic Glucose Organic Glucose Chemoorganoheterotr Aerobes Production of
crysogenum chemicals carbon ophs antibiotics / Natural
decomposer
Microalgae Eukaryote Unicellular Light Sunlight Inorganic CO2 Photolithoautotrophs Aerobes Biomass feedstock
carbon for 3rd generation
biofuel / Play role in
“biochemical flows”
Protozoa Eukaryote Unicellular Organic Bacteria Organic Glucose Chemoorganoheterotr Aerobes Biological
chemicals carbon ophs wastewater
treatment /
Mineralizing
nutrients for plants
and soil organisms
Ammonia Prokaryote Inorganic Nitrogen Inorganic CO2 Chemolithoautotroph Aerobes Convert ammonia to
oxidizing chemicals compound carbon s nitrite in
bacteria (AOB) s wastewater
treatment /
Nitrite oxidizing Prokaryote Inorganic Nitrogen Inorganic CO2 Chemolithoautotroph Aerobes Convert nitrite to
bacteria (NOB) chemicals compound carbon s nitrate
s
Denitrifying Prokaryote Inorganic Acetate Inorganic CO2 Chemolithoautotroph Aerobes Convert nitrates in
bacteria chemicals carbon s and soil to free
anaerobes atmospheric
nitrogen
Methanogen Prokaryote Inorganic Methane Inorganic CO2 Chemolithoautotroph Anaerobes Reduce water
Dept. of Chem. Eng., UM Dr. Adeline Chua S. M.
chemicals carbon s system pollution /
break down organic
material
Sulfur oxidizing Prokaryote Inorganic Sulfur Inorganic Sulfur Chemolithoautotroph Aerobes Oxidize sulfur to
bacteria chemicals carbon s and obtain energy
anaerobes
Iron oxidizing Prokaryote Inorganic Iron Inorganic Iron Chemolithoautotroph Aerobes Rapid iron oxidation
bacteria chemicals carbon s and
anaerobes
Hydrogen Prokaryote Inorganic Hydrogen Inorganic Hydrogen Chemolithoautotroph Aerobes Oxidize hydrogen to
oxidizing chemicals carbon s and obtain energy
bacteria anaerobes
Hydrogen Prokaryote Inorganic Hydrogen Inorganic Hydrogen Aerobes Produce hydrogen
producing chemicals carbon and
bacteria anaerobes