IDENTIFYING DATA 2018_19
Subject (*) METABOLISM OF MICROORGANISMS Code 19204110
Study programme
Bachelor's Degree in Biotechnology (2009)
 Cycle 1st
Descriptors Credits Type Year Period
6 Compulsory Third 2Q
Language
Català
Department Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Coordinator
REGUANT MIRANDA, CRISTINA
 E-mail cristina.reguant@urv.cat
enrique.calvo@urv.cat
merce.sunyer@urv.cat
elena.roca@urv.cat
Lecturers
REGUANT MIRANDA, CRISTINA
CALVO MANSO, ENRIQUE
SUNYER FIGUERES, MERCÈ
ROCA MESA, ELENA
Web
General description and relevant information Know the wide range of metabolic possibilities of microorganisms, mainly bacteria, which cover all types of metabolisms known on Earth, both in terms of possible energy sources and sources of carbon and other elements such as nitrogen, as in their anabolic abilities.

Competences
Type A Code Competences Specific
 A3 Have a good knowledge of biochemistry, enzyme kinetics and mechanisms, metabolism and its regulation.
 A4 Know and understand in an integrated manner the organisms at molecular, cellular and metabolic level.
 A8 Analyse appropriately data and experimental results from the fields of biotechnology with statistical techniques and be able to interpret it.
 A9 Know in depth the microorganisms, both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, viruses, as well as the diversity of metabolisms present in prokaryotes, and their possibilities of biotechnological use.
Type B Code Competences Transversal
 B5 Teamwork, collaboration and sharing of responsibility
Type C Code Competences Nuclear

Learning outcomes
Type A Code Learning outcomes
 A3 Know the general properties of the enzymes, their nomenclature and classification, the strategies of their purification, and the basic principles of kinetics and enzymatic catalysis.
 A4 Know the wide range of metabolic possibilities of microorganisms and know how to relate these metabolisms to biotechnological applications.
 A8 Know the wide range of metabolic possibilities of microorganisms and know how to relate these metabolisms with biotechnological applications.
 A9 Know the wide range of metabolic possibilities of microorganisms and know how to relate these metabolisms with biotechnological applications.
Type B Code Learning outcomes
 B5 Accept and comply with the rules of the group.
Help to draw up and apply the team’s work processes.
Take an interest in the importance of the group’s activity.
Type C Code Learning outcomes

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
Introduction to the metabolism of microorganisms 1. Metabolic dynamics of unicellular microorganisms. Composition of prokaryotic cells: macromolecules, elements. Sources of carbon, nitrogen, others. Power source. Bases of energy metabolism: synthesis of ATP and reduction potentials. Metabolic diversity and main metabolic types.
Tipus de metabolismes 2. Types of phototrophic microorganisms. Oxygenic photoautrophy. Anoxygenic photoautrophy. Photoheterotrophy. Fototrophy of the archaea.
3. Quimiolitotrofisms. Use of hydrogen. Oxidation of ammonia and nitrite. Oxidation of sulfur and iron compounds. Chemotherapyheterotrophy or mixotrophy.
4. Meta-genic metabolism. Homoacetogenesis Diazotrophy: fixation of atmospheric nitrogen.
5. Anaerobic respiration. Reduction of nitrates or denitrification. Reduction of sulphates. Reduction of other electron acceptors.
6. Aerobic respiration. Diversity of substrates used for breathing. Decomposition of organic matter Incomplete oxidation of alcohols. Methroutrophy and methylotrophy. Oxidative degradation of xenobiotic compounds. Cometabolism Bioluminescence.
7. Fermentations: Main types of fermentation: alcoholic, lactic, propionic, acid-mixed, 2,3-butadiene, butyric, acetone-butanol, amino acids and others. Particular fermentations with ATPase.
Anabolism 8. Biosynthesis of primary metabolites. Central routes. Anabolism of sugars. Biosynthesis of amino acids. Biosynthesis of other metabolites.
Metabolisme secundari 9. Routes and starting points of the various secondary metabolites.
Origin of metabolic diversity 10. Metabolic prehistory. Origin of life. Metabolic evolution of prokaryotes. Origin of eukaryotes.

Planning
Methodologies  ::  Tests
  Competences (*) Class hours
 Hours outside the classroom
 (**) Total hours
Introductory activities
1 0 1
Lecture
A3
A4
A9
 30 45 75
Seminars
A4
A8
B5
 15 22.5 37.5
Laboratory practicals
A4
A8
B5
 15 7.5 22.5
Personal attention
1 0 1
 
 
(*) On e-learning, hours of virtual attendance of the teacher.
(**) The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies
Methodologies
  Description
Introductory activities General description of the objectives and contents to be developed in the subject.
Lecture Presentation of the contents of the subject in the classroom.
Seminars Exhibition and work with students on the most relevant biotechnological applications of the different metabolisms of microorganisms.
Laboratory practicals Performing biochemical and microbiological tests in the laboratory to characterize different types of microbial metabolisms.
Personal attention Resolution of doubts or queries related to the subject.

Personalized attention
Description
Resolution of doubts or queries related to the subject.

Assessment
Methodologies Competences Description Weight        
Lecture
A3
A4
A9
 Multiple-choice test.

First part test.
Second part test.

35% 35%
Seminars
A4
A8
B5
 Answering questions.

Written test on contents worked in the seminars.

 10%

10%
Laboratory practicals
A4
A8
B5
 Work out a laboratory report. 10%
Others  
 
Other comments and second exam session

The attendance to the laboratory practices are mandatory. The grades obtained in the 1st call on the seminars and laboratory practices, will be kept for the 2nd call (if these parts of the subject passed satisfactory).

During the evaluation tests, mobile phones, tablets and other devices that are not expressly authorized by the test must be turned off and out of sight.

The demonstration of the fraudulent conduct of some evaluative activity of a subject in both material and virtual or electronic support leads to the student the failing grade of this evaluation activity. Regardless of this, in view of the seriousness of the facts, the centre may propose the initiation of a disciplinary file, which will be initiated by resolution of the rector.

Sources of information

Basic BROCK, T.D. & MADIGAN, M.T., Biology of microorganisms, 13th Edition. Prentice Hall, 2012
LENGELER, J.W., Drews. G., Schlegel, H.G, Biology of the Prokaryotes, Blackwell, Stuttgart, 1999

Complementary

GOTTSCHALK, G., Bacterial metabolism, Springer Verlag, New York, 1986

MOAT AG, Foster JW, Spector MP, Microbial Physiology, 4th ed. Wiley-Liss, NY 2002

PARÉS, R., Juárez, A., Bioquímica de microorganismos, Reverté, Barcelona, 1997

WHITE, D. The physiology and biochemistry of prokaryotes. Oxford Univ. Press, 2000

 

 
Recommendations
(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.