POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Department of Biology

BIOL 30035 GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY A.Y. 2021-2022

Name: De Guzman, Rochele P. Yr. & Sec: BS Biology 1-2

Professor: Dr. Lourdes Alvarez

LECTURE
Activity No. 6
MICROBIAL METABOLISM

1. Which four of the chemical elements make up the bulk of a cell’s dry weight?
Why?
- The four of the chemical elements make up the bulk of a cell’s dry weight are
CARBON, OXYGEN, NITROGEN AND HYDROGEN. The carbon is needed in the
largest amount which has a 50% of a cell’s dry weight. Followed by Oxygen and
Hydrogen when combined it will have 25% of cell’s dry weight. Lastly, nitrogen that
has 13% of cell’s dry weight. Living chemistry is primarily based around carbon,
oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, with these elemental components acting as the
main building blocks making up the dry weight of the cell. This is because of the
complex and diverse metabolic processes that make cells function.

2. Differentiate between trace elements and growth factors. Cite examples.

TRACE ELEMENTS
• Refer to any chemical element that is only found in trace amounts in the human
body, usually less than 0.1 percent by volume.
• Most trace elements can be classified as nutritionally essential, probably
essential, or potentially toxic.
• Trace elements are necessary components of a person's diet because they are
nutritionally vital. These components support important biological processes like
metabolism, tissue repair, growth, and development. People must ingest these
substances through their food or by taking supplements because the human
body is unable to spontaneously produce them. These elements have the
potential to be hazardous when consumed in excess. Iron, copper, cobalt, zinc,
selenium, chromium, iodine, and molybdenum are trace elements that are
crucial for nutrition.
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Department of Biology
GROWTH FACTORS
• Growth factors are the diffusible signaling proteins that promote cell growth,
differentiation, survival, inflammation, and tissue repair. They are typically thought of
as a subgroup of cytokines. They may be produced by tumor cells, nearby cells,
distant tissues and glands, or even by distant tissues and glands (SinoBiological,
2022).
• Several growth factors are required for the proliferation and viability of normal cells.
Cells that release growth factors often have an edge in terms of growth.
• Development factors are organic substances that a cell needs for growth but cannot
produce on its own. Examples include amino acids, purines, pyrimidines, and
vitamins.

3. Explain how are trace elements and growth factors are used by the cell?
- Nature contains components in a variety of forms, and these elements are highly
important for the body to carry out its various tasks. At the biological, chemical, and
molecular levels, trace elements are crucial for cell function. These substances serve
as cofactors for numerous enzymes, as well as stabilizing centers for the structures
of enzymes and proteins, to mediate important biochemical events. Some trace
elements regulate important biological processes by binding to molecules on the cell
membrane's receptor site or by switching the shape of the membrane to block the
entry of particular molecules. Trace element functions provide a dual role. They are
important to maintaining cellular structures at normal levels, but when they are
lacking, they can activate alternative pathways and lead to illness. These trace
elements can be estimated using various analytical techniques and have therapeutic
importance. According to Rivas (2022), Any chemical element that is found in the
body in trace amounts is referred to as a trace element. Trace elements can be
categorized as possibly harmful, likely essential, or nutritionally necessary. For
appropriate physiological and metabolic processes, the nutritionally necessary
nutrients are needed. The human body contains at least 21 trace elements, each of
which has a particular purpose. Any of the trace elements can alter a person's
growth and development and generate a variety of clinical symptoms.
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Department of Biology

REFERENCES

Biology LibreTexts (2022). Factores that Influenced Bacterial Growth. Retrieved from
https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Microbiology/Book%3A_Microbiology_(Kaiser)/Unit_7%3A
_Microbial_Genetics_and_Microbial_Metabolism/17%3A_Bacterial_Growth_and_Energy_Produ
ction/17.2%3A_Factors_that_Influence_Bacterial_Growth#:~:text=f.-
,Growth%20factors,are%20said%20to%20be%20fastidious%20.

Prashanth L, Kattapagari KK, Chitturi RT, Baddam VR, Prasad LK. (n.d.). A review on role of
essential trace elements in health and disease. Retrieved from
https://www.jdrntruhs.org/article.asp?issn=2277-
8632;year=2015;volume=4;issue=2;spage=75;epage=85;aulast=Prashanth#:~:text=Trace%20el
ements%20are%20very%20important,structures%20of%20enzymes%20and%20proteins.

Rivas, J. (2022). Trace Elements. Retrieved from https://www.osmosis.org/answers/trace-

elements