Nutritional Classification of Microorganisms
March 4, 2023 | by Sravani Pathakamuri | Posted in FAQ's
Microorganisms can be classified into different nutritional categories based on their sources of energy and carbon. Here are the main nutritional classifications of microorganisms:
- Autotrophs: Autotrophic microorganisms are able to synthesize their own organic compounds using inorganic sources of carbon, such as carbon dioxide. They can be further classified into two types:
- Photoautotrophs: These microorganisms use light energy to drive the process of photosynthesis, which converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds. Examples include cyanobacteria and algae.
- Chemoautotrophs: These microorganisms obtain energy from the oxidation of inorganic compounds, such as ammonia or hydrogen sulfide, and use carbon dioxide as their carbon source. Examples include certain bacteria that live in extreme environments, such as hydrothermal vents.
- Heterotrophs: Heterotrophic microorganisms cannot synthesize their own organic compounds and rely on external sources of carbon. They can be further classified into two types:
- Photoheterotrophs: These microorganisms obtain energy from light, but use organic compounds as their source of carbon. Examples include certain bacteria and algae.
- Chemoheterotrophs: These microorganisms obtain both their energy and carbon from organic compounds. Examples include most bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.
In addition to these classifications, microorganisms can also be classified based on their sources of energy as either aerobic (requiring oxygen) or anaerobic (not requiring oxygen). This classification is important in understanding the conditions necessary for the growth and survival of different microorganisms.