Role of Autotrophs and Heterotrophs

Role of Autotrophs and HeterotrophsB guesseria be unicellular micro-organisms that ar found everywhere on ball. They ar classified low prokaryotes. Prokaryotes ar organisms which do non have a membrane derail nucleus un resembling eukaryotes which possess a well formed nucleus. though the bacterium do not possess the nucleus, they have genetic hearty in their DNA. The bacteriuml DNA is found in their cytoplasm.though bacterium can apparent motion diseases, only a small percentage of bacteria do so. The rest of the bacteria atomic number 18 harm slight. The pathogenic bacteria be called parasitic bacteria and they thrive on the sustainment of other upkeep matter for their survival. On the other hand, the saprophytic bacteria lead a symbiotic relationship with other living matter and do not cause any harm.Bacteria can be classified infra diverse categories. They can be classified according to shape, nutritionary and atomic number 8 requirements, staining charact eristics, motility, presence of cell wall and spore formation. Based on the nutritional requirements, they are classified in toHeterotrophsAutotrophsHeterotrophic bacteriaHeterotrophic bacteria grow on constitutional substances formed by animals and plants. They break bring complex organic substances from these sources and realise ampere-second. Heterotrophic bacteria are split up in to Photosynthetic heterotrophs- These put on the susceptibility of lightChemotrophic heterotrophs These obtain muscle from oxidation reduction reactions.The heterotrophic bacteria secrete enzymes which act on the complex organic substances and generalize energy. or so of the heterotrophic bacteria are aerobic organisms and they need group O for their survival. Based on their relation with the energy sources they are again divided in to Saprotrophic bacteria- These bacteria derive nutrition from bushed(p) tissues. These are the common geeks of heterotrophsSaprophytic bacteria These bacteria constrict going in close association with some other species like plants and both of them get benefited. Most of the saprophytic bacteria live in association with the root of the plants. The bacteria convert the atmospheric north in to processs which is utilized by the plants which in flexure supply carbohydrates to the bacteria for their survival.Parasitic bacteria These bacteria live in close association with another species like plants and animals and derive their energy in expense of them.Heterotrophs exhibit two basic strategies for filiation energy from the organic substrates Fermentation In this member, the organic substrate acts as both electron acceptor and electron donor. There is no requirement of group O or other electron acceptor. Fermentation yields lesser energy (58 kcal/mole) ventilating system This exercise requires external electron acceptor. The most common electron acceptor is molecular(a) oxygen. When oxygen is used, the process is called aerobic re spiration. If nitrates and sulphates are used, the process is called anaerobiotic respiration. public discussion yields much energy (686 Kcal/ mole). Most of the carbon in the atmosphere is derived by the process of respiration. 40%-80% of the respiration occurs below the background.AutotrophsAutotrophic bacteria are organisms whose sole source of nutrition is carbon dioxide. They need only body of water, inorganic salts and carbon dioxide for growth. They are divided in to Photosynthetic autotrophs These bacteria utilize energy from light and are anaerobic organisms. This common among the two types and are quite diverse. These include cyanobacteria, green sulfur bacteria, empurpled sulfur bacteria, and purple non-sulfur bacteria. Suphur bacteria utilize hydrogen sulphide whereas others utilize water for nutritional process.Chemosynthetic autotrophs These derive energy from oxidation of inorganic materials like iron, sulphur, ammonia water and nitrite. These organisms are a naerobic. These are usually found deep under the water and they are liable for the food chain under the water. They derive the inorganic substrates from the volcanic vents.Soil biologyPlants are terrestrial organisms and they obtain most of their nutrients from the brand. Animals derive energy indirectly from plants and other animals. This requires utilization of many elements such as inorganic compounds from the environment which are converted in to organic substances in front they can be used as energy. The cycling of these elements is catalyzed by the bacteria present in the soil.Soil is the focal ratio most layer of earth which varies in depth from a few inches to over twenty feet. The type of the soil depends on the four factors including the parent rock, the climate, the age and the biological factors like plants, bacteria and organic substances. Most of the biological activeness occurs at the surface. Most of the organic substances are found in the upper layer or the upp er horizon. Majority of the bacteria are found in the upper six to twelve inches of soil. Both autotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria are found in the soil. Among the two heterotrophic bacteria are more commonly found in the soil. The heterotrophic bacteria in soil belong to the order Eubacteriales and Actinomycetales. The Actinomycetales are represented by the genera Streptomyces, Nocardia and Micromonospora. These bacteria have an earthy odour.Maximum bacterial growth and activity in the soil are found around the roots of the plants. This orbit is called rhizosphere. Almost all the ecological interactions occur in this region. These interactions could be favorable, unfavorable, vital and sometimes lethal. The most important function of the soil microorganisms is to decompose mingled kinds of organic matter.As said earlier, cycling of elements is through with(p) by bacteria. This is done to make the elements available for reuse. The elements are usually found in the trim down state inside the cell. When they are mineralized, they are in an oxidized state. They serving three functions They form the basic components of the cellThey provide energyThey act as electron acceptors during oxidation reactionsBacteria are involved in three types of round of golfs in the cycling of the elements necessary for energy Carbon steering wheel newton rhythm method of birth controlSulphur cycleCarbon cycle round 50% of the dry weight of all living organisms is composed of carbon. The eventual(prenominal) source of this organic carbon is the atmospheric carbon dioxide.Role of heterotrophs get down carbon dioxide by photosynthesisFix carbon dioxide from preformed organic compoundsDecompose the beat(p) tissues of animals and plants and resign the elements to be used againRole of autotrophsReduce carbon dioxide by photosynthesisUtilize carbon dioxide from dissolution of carbonates and bicarbonatesNitrogen CycleNitrogen is the most important structural element of all liv ing organisms. Though it is abundant in nature, it cannot be utilized by the plants and animals. The normality cycle is concerned with incorporation of atmospheric nitrogen and organic nitrogen of dead plants and animals on to forms that are usable by higher organisms. Bacteria, both heterotrophs and autotrophs are involved in this cycle.There are five processes of nitrogen cycleAmmonification The dead animals and plants are decomposed by the heterotrophs which release protein and other nitrogenous substances. These substances are broken down in to amino acids which are split to release ammonia. This release of ammonia from organic nitrogenous substance is called ammonificationNitrification The oxidation of ammonia in to nitrates is called nitrification. This takes place by two steps. The first step called nitrosification results in the formation of nitrites which are toxic to plants. The second step is oxidation in which the toxic nitrite is converted in to the non-toxic nitrate s.Nitrate reduction The reversal process of nitrification is called nitrate reduction. The nitrate is converted in to nitrate which in turn is converted in to ammonia. Many organisms can assimilate cellular nitrogen from this ammonia.Denitrification -Certain microorganisms are capable of reducing nitrates in to nitrites and subsequently to gaseous nitrogen. This process is called denitrification.Nitrogen fixing Nitrogen fixation is a process by which the bacteria both autotrophs and heterotrophs fix atmospheric nitrogen. It is symbiotic of it is done by the bacteria living in the plant roots and non-symbiotic if it is done by bacteria independently.Role of heterotrophs in nitrogen cyclePrimarily responsible for ammonificationCause nitrate reductionInvolved in denitrificationInvolved in symbiotic nitrogen fixationRole of autotrophsInvolved in ammonification under anaerobic conditions. The amine that is formed is oxidized to release ammonia solo involved in nitrification. The famil y of autotrophs called Nitrobactericeaa is involved in this reactionCause nitrate reductionInvolved in denitrificationInvolved in non -symbiotic nitrogen fixationSulphur cycleSulphur is essential for all living organisms as sulphur containing amino acids are present in all proteins. It occurs in both organic and inorganic combinations. Cycling of sulphur is similar to nitrogen cycle. Transformation between organic and elemental states and between oxidized and trim state are carried out by bacteria.Role of heterotrophsHeterotrophs in the soil degrade the proteins in the soil and liberate sulphur.Role of autotrophsAutotrophs oxidize various forms sulphur like hydrogen sulphide. The phototrophic autotrophs oxidize hydrogen sulphide in to elemental sulphur. The chemosynthetic autotrophs oxidize sulphur in to sulphates. Sulphate is the most commensurate source of sulphur for plants. This sulphate is assimilated and converted in to proteins.Fresh water biologyFresh water is defined as w ater containing less than 1% of salt. The different fresh water zones include ponds and lakes and streams and rivers.Ponds and lakesPonds and lakes consists of three zones uppermost littoral zone- This zone absorbs direct sunlight and contains algae, snails, insects, crustaceans and fishes.Middle limnetic zone This contains planktons abase profundal zone- This zone contains heterotrophic bacteria. Very little enter this zone and therefore it is very ideal for growth of the heterotrophs decompose the dead organisms by utilise oxygen through the process of respiration.Streams and riversThese are water bodies which move in one direction. The characters of these water bodies change during their course. There are three part of these water bodies source, mid stream and mouth. The place where they reach and join another water source including ocean is called the mouth. The source of these water bodies contains high oxygen levels and hence the heterotrophs thrive here very well. Near the mouth, the light perspicacity and the oxygen content are very less and autotrophic bacteria are found in this region.Both heterotrophs and autotrophs exist and survive in the fresh water bodies. The processes are very similar to those that occur in the soil. In the fresh water bodies, these bacteria take care of the inorganic requirements of the algae which is similar to the plants on the soil. These organisms get in to these water bodies from air, soil, sewage, organic wastes, dead plants and animals. Climatic, geographical and biological conditions bring about great genetic mutation in the bacterial population. Rivers and stream show their highest count during rainy season. form blowing in to the rivers and streams also contributes to many bacteria. Animals contribute to the bacterial population by bathing and dropping their excreta.Among the various cycling of elements, the nitrogen cycle is most common one occurring in the water bodies.Role of heterotrophsThey act on the dead animals and plants and other organic wastes and liberate nitrogenThey can cause nitrate reduction resulting in the release of ammoniaRole of autotrophsThe genus Nitrosomonas and nitrobacter species cause nitrification processInvolved in ammonification under anaerobic conditions. The amine that is formed is oxidized to release ammonia