Chapter4Microbial growth.ppt

Chapter4Microbial growth Environmental factors on growth Growth in natural environment Temperature A most important factor influencing the growth is the temperature sensitivity of enzyme catalyzed reactions. High temperature: Denature enzymes, transport carries, and other proteins. Microbial membranes are also disrupted by temperature extremes. The lipid bilayer melts and disintegrates. Optimal growth temperature Mesophiles: human body temperature pathogens opportunists pyschrophile close to freezing thermophile close to boiling Thermophile and Biotechnology Enzymes from thermophiles are capable of catalyzing biochemical reactions at high temperature, they are more stable; DNA polymerase, Taq polymerase, has been isolated from thermophile-Thermus aquaticus, for PCR application; DNA polymerase, pfu polymerase, isolated from hyperthermophile-Pyrocuccus furiosus, is more stable and useful for PCR application, it also less prone to errors; Microbial process carried out at high T also eliminate or greatly reduce cooling costs. Molecular basis for growing at extreme temperatures Molecular adaptations of enzymes to extreme temperatures Cold-active enzymes are more flexible due to higher portion of a helix and less amount of b-sheet Heat resistant enzymes have different folding patterns because of a few different amino acids in some critical positions from their mesophile counterpart, more salt bridges and more densely packed hydrophobic interior A-helix provides flexibility B-sheet causes more rigidity More b-sheets result in a more rigid structure, which is less cold active More a helixes result in more flexible structure, which is cold resistant Cell membrane must be in a fluidal state in order to be functional pH pH effect on cell growth Organisms that live at low pH are called acidophiles Fungi tend to be more acid-tolerant than bacteria although their interior pH is close to neutrality Several bacteria are obligate acidophilic (such as Thiobacillus, Sulfolobu