Microbes

Microbes

Microbes (microorganism) is a name used to describe a diverse group of organisms. The most known viruses, unicellular groups (Archaea, Eubacteria, Protista, fungi and Chlorophyta). Besides, a few organisms with a simple multicellular structure (fungi and Chlorophyta). The larger microorganisms are characterised by having a filamentous. It is sheet-like or parenchymatous thallus that does not display true tissue differentiation. Most microbes are invisible unless help of a microscope also known as batting.

Microbes

• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Fungi

Types of microbial growth

Microbes can convert an enormous range of compounds into biomass – from foodstuffs that humans would consider eating, right the way through to compounds, such as cyanides, that are considered highly toxic. Some human-made chemical compounds are new to the natural environment, so microbes have yet to evolve pathways to deal with them.

Classification of microorganisms according to carbon and energy sources

• Carbon or energy source description
• Energy from a chemical Chemotroph
• Energy from light Phototroph
• Electrons from an organic compound Organotroph
• Electrons from an inorganic compound Lithotroph
• Carbon from carbon dioxide Autotroph
• Carbon from an organic compound Heterotroph

Other terms used to describe the growth of microorganisms

• Obtain nitrogen from N2 gas rather than ‘fixed’ nitrogen sources Diazotroph
• Ability to exist at low nutrient concentrations Oligotroph
• Uses reduced C1 compounds as a sole source of carbon and energy Methylotroph
• Uses reduced methane as the sole source of carbon and energy Methanotroph
• Able to use a mixture of heterotrophic and autotrophic growth mechanisms Mixotroph
• Only able to grow in the presence of salt Halophile