Biology › Section K · Viruses and prokaryotes › Topic K.6

Prokaryotic metabolism

Prokaryotes survive almost anywhere because they can draw energy and carbon from a wider range of sources than any other organisms — and because they keep the planet's carbon and nitrogen turning over.

In this topic

  • One cell, many menus
  • Macronutrients: the CHONPS set
  • Energy: phototrophs and chemotrophs
  • Carbon: autotrophs and heterotrophs
  • Worked example: naming three species
  • Prokaryotes and the carbon cycle
  • The methane branch
  • Nitrogen fixation and ammonification
  • Nitrification and denitrification
  • Worked example: following one nitrogen atom
  • Common mistakes to avoid
  • Key takeaways

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