Metabolic diversity

Recommended Prerequisites

Basic knowledge in Microbiology and Bioenergetics and Ecology.

Teaching Methods

Lectures, with all students, are based on presentations with simple texts and diagrams, graphs, etc., with the media support.

Brainstorming sessions, with small groups of students, about selected themes.

Presentation and discussion of suggested topics investigated by the students. Namely the topic " Metabolic networks and the functioning in some environments", should be worked independently by the students.

Learning Outcomes

Students should obtain knowledge about the diversity of metabolic activities that are carried out by microorganisms (Bacteria and Archaea). In addition, students should comprehend the essential importance of the metabolic activities of microorganisms in ecosystems and the biosphere. For that purpose, they should be able to integrate knowledge about the metabolic activities with the microbial groups where they occur and the different environments where they are found, in order to understand the metabolic capability as the determinant of the function of living beings in the ecosystem. It is also intended that students contact with recent hypotheses of evolution of metabolism and its consequences for the interpretation of the origin and evolution of life. With this approach it is expected that students improve their skills on systemic thinking, with special emphasis on the skills for abstraction and integration.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction to metabolism.

2. Fermentation and Respiration

3. Photosynthesis and Chemolithotrophy,

4. Autotrophy; carbon fixing pathways, phylogenetic and ecological distribution.

5. Methanogenesis and acetogenesis; importance as carbon fixing and energy conservation pathways; relevance for the global carbon balance in the biosphere.

6. Methanotrophy and methylotrophy.

7. Syntrophy

8. The importance of microorganisms in the circulation of materials in ecosystems and the biosphere.

9. Origin of Life, evolution and metabolism: a) LUCA, origin of chemiosmosis and origin of Life; b) Polyphyletic distribution evolution of photosynthesis; c)Evolution of carbon fixing pathways; phylogenetic and ecological distribution; d)Metabolism and origin of eukaryotic cells; hypotheses and importance of the recognition of archaea from superphylum Asgard; e) The metabolic potential of the “microbial dark-matter”.

10. Metabolic networks and the functioning of some ecosystems.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Project: 25.0%
Exam: 75.0%

Bibliography

Artigos científicos recentes sobre os temas /Recent scientific papers relating the themes to be adressed

Prescott; L.; Harley; J. e Klein; D. Microbiogy. McG-Hill Pub.

Madigan; M.; Martinko; J.; Parker; J. Brock Biology of Microorganisms .Prentice Hall International; Inc.