MicrobiologyLesson 6 of 6 in the course Microbial Metabolism

Microbial Roles in Biogeochemical Cycles and Bioremediation

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson introduces biogeochemical cycles and explores how microorganisms move carbon between living organisms and the nonliving environment. Understanding these processes helps explain how ecosystems obtain and recycle the building blocks of life.

Energy flows through ecosystems in one direction, entering mainly as sunlight for phototrophs or as energy from inorganic compounds for chemoautotrophs. In contrast, elements are continually recycled. Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur occur in different chemical forms and may be found in the atmosphere, water, soil, organisms, or beneath Earth’s surface.

All flashcards

What is a biogeochemical cycle?
The movement and recycling of elements or compounds between organisms and the nonliving environment.
What is nitrogen fixation?
The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen gas into a biologically usable form, such as ammonia, by certain prokaryotes.
How do methanogens and methanotrophs differ?
Methanogens produce methane, while methanotrophs use methane as a carbon source.
What is bioremediation?
The use of microbial metabolism to remove or break down environmental pollutants.
How do in situ and ex situ bioremediation differ?
In situ treatment occurs at the contamination site; ex situ treatment moves contaminated material elsewhere.

Quiz questions

  1. Under anaerobic conditions, what does denitrification do to nitrate?Answer: It uses nitrate in respiration and converts it into nitrogen gas.
  2. How can excess nutrient runoff cause eutrophication in a lake?Answer: It promotes algal growth, whose decomposition consumes oxygen.
  3. Which set of elements can have microbial cycles involving redox transformations?Answer: Iron, manganese, and chromium
  4. What happens during enhanced bioremediation?Answer: Nutrients or air are added to stimulate pollutant-degrading microbes.
  5. How can some microbes help reduce environmental contamination by petroleum compounds?Answer: They can degrade contaminants or make hydrophobic oil molecules more accessible to other microbes.

Based on Microbiology by Nina Parker, Mark Schneegurt, Anh-Hue Thi Tu, Philip Lister, Brian M. Forster (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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