Cell Composition / Nutrients

 To support microbial growth in biological systems, appropriate

nutrients must be available.
 Prokaryotes are composed of about 80% water, 20% organic &
inorganic materials.
 About 53% by weight of the organic fraction is carbon.
 Nitrogen and Phosphorus are considered macronutrients because
they are required for microbial growth in comparatively large
amounts.
 Prokaryotes also require trace amount of metallic ions, or
micronutrients.
 All of these compounds and elements are derived from the
environment.
 Shortage of any of these substances will limit or alter the growth.
Environmental factors affecting microbial growth
 Microbial growth – increase in number of cells, not cell size.
 Environmental conditions – pH and temperature have an important
effect on the selection, survival and growth of microorganisms
 Bacteria might be classified as psychrophilic, mesophilic, or
thermophilic according to the temperature range they function

 Generally, optimum pH for bacterial growth lies between 6.5 & 7.5
 Most bacteria cannot tolerate pH levels above 9.5 or below 4.0