Microbial Physiology and Metabolism

By Dr. H M Swaroop Kumar | University of Mysore

Learners enrolled: 207

Microbes are ubiquitous and omnipresent. Understanding Microbes Physiology &their Metabolism provide insight knowledge on their sources of energy &its utilization as they are tiny factories for the production of high-value low-volume products to low-value high-volume products which are its primary & secondary metabolites. Primary metabolites are typically formed during the growth phase as a result of energy metabolism and are deemed essential for proper growth. And, many of the identified microbes’ secondary metabolites have a role in ecological function. Microbes have a diverse metabolic activity which not observed in any other group of organisms. Thus, it is critical understand Microbe’s physiology and metabolism, to manipulated them, in order to enhance their growth or to product desired products of commercial value,

The syllabus is designed keeping in mind recent development in Microbial Physiology & Metabolism and will be useful to all those who want to learn and update their knowledge on this field.

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :	Elective
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	10 weeks
Category :	Biological Sciences & Bioengineering
Credit Points :	4
Level :	Undergraduate
Start Date :	05 Jan 2026
End Date :	30 Apr 2026
Enrollment Ends :	28 Feb 2026
Exam Date :
Translation Languages :	English
NCrF Level	5.0

Page Visits

Course layout

Weeks	Day	Weekly Lecture Topics
First Week	Day 1	Microbial enzymes: Structure and Classification
	Day 2	Mechanism of Enzyme actions: Lock and key model, induced fit theory
	Day 3	Factors affecting rates of enzyme mediated reactions
	Day 4	The role of ATP in metabolism
	Day 5	● MCQ ● Assignments
Second Week	Day 1	Definitions of growth and generation time, measurement of microbial growth and specific growth rate
	Day 2	Batch and Continuous culture
	Day 3	Phases and types of growth curve and its industrial application
	Day 4	Microbial growth in response to temperature, pH, solute and water activity, oxygen, pressure and radiation
	Day 5	● MCQ ● Assignments
Third Week	Day 1	Classification of bacteria based on nutrients
	Day 2	Membranes of microorganisms, Ion channels
	Day 3	Passive and facilitated diffusion, Primary and secondary active transport, concept of uniport, symport and antiport
	Day 4	Group translocation and Iron uptake
	Day 5	● MCQ ● Assignments
Fourth Week	Day 1	Photosynthetic pigments and apparatus in bacteria
	Day 2	Photophosphorylation
	Day 3	C3 and C4 pathways
	Day 4	Difference between oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis
	Day 5	● MCQ ● Assignments
Fifth Week	Day 1	Mode of nutrition in Hydrogen and Nitrifying bacteria
	Day 2	Mode of nutrition in Purple sulfur bacteria, Non-sulfur bacteria and Green sulfur bacteria
	Day 3	Mode of nutrition in methylotrophs and methanogens
	Day 4	Utilization of light energy by halobacteria
	Day 5	● MCQ ● Assignments
Sixth Week	Day 1	Concept of aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration and fermentation
	Day 2	Sugar degradation pathways i.e., EMP, ED and Pentose phosphate pathway
	Day 3	TCA cycle and Electron transport chain
	Day 4	Comparison of mitochondrial and bacterial ETC, electron transport phosphorylation, uncouplers and inhibitors
	Day 5	● MCQ ● Assignments
Seventh Week	Day 1	Fates of pyruvate, Pasteur effect and industrial importance of fermentation
	Day 2	Alcohol fermentation
	Day 3	Lactate fermentation (homo fermentative and hetero fermentative pathways)
	Day 4	Concept of linear and branched fermentation pathways
	Day 5	● Quizzes ● Assignments ● Paragraph and essay questions
Eighth Week	Day 1	Utilization of Lactose and Galactose
	Day 2	Utilization of Maltose and Mannitol
	Day 3	Degradation of cellulose, starch and glycogen
	Day 4	Conversion of biomass to energy using microorganisms
	Day 5	● MCQ ● Assignments
Ninth Week	Day 1	Mechanism of nitrogen fixation
	Day 2	Symbiotic and non symbiotic nitrogen fixation
	Day 3	Biosynthesis of amino acids
	Day 4	Degradation amino acids
	Day 5	● MCQ ● Assignments
Tenth Week	Day 1	Oxidative stress
	Day 2	Thermal stress
	Day 3	Starvation stress and stringent response
	Day 4	Aerobic to anaerobic transitions
	Day 5	● MCQ ● Assignments
Eleventh Week	Day 1	Exam preparation and assessment of assignments
	Day 2
	Day 3
	Day 4
	Day 5
Twelfth Week	Day 1	Assessment at the end of the course, which comprises of 40% of Online or In-term assessment and 60% Proctored end term exam.
	Day 2
	Day 3
	Day 4
	Day 5

Books and references

1. Moat A.G., Foster J.W. and Spector M.P. 2002. Microbial Physiology, 4th edition. A Johan Wiley and sons inc., publication.

2. Kim B.H. and Gadd G.M. 2008. Bacterial physiology and metabolism. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

3. Gilbert H.F. 2000. Basic concepts in biochemistry: A student’s survival guide. Second Edition. Mc-Graw-Hill Companies, health professions Division, New York.

4. Madigan M.T., Martinko J.M., Stahl D.A. and Calrk D.P. 2012. Brock Biology of Microorganisms. 13th ed. Pearson Education Inc.

Instructor bio

Dr. H M Swaroop Kumar

University of Mysore

Dr. H. M. Swaroop Kumar is a distinguished academic and researcher with a rich background in the field of Life science teaching and research in Biotechnology and Botany. He holds an M.Sc. in Botany, specializing in Plant Pathology, and a Ph.D. in Applied Botany & Biotechnology. His doctoral research focused on pathological and biochemical investigations on stem end rot disease in pineapple. Dr. Kumar’s academic prowess is further highlighted by his distinction in his M.Sc., First attempt qualification in UGC-CSIR (NET&JRF) in Life sciences, In addition he has obtained national level prestigious UGC fellowship for his Ph. D. and CSIR Research Associate fellowship for his Post Doctoral work in CSIR-CFRI, Mysore

Dr. Kumar’s professional journey is marked by significant contributions to academia and research. He has over a decade of postgraduate teaching experience at the University level for M.Sc. Botany students, currently serving as a full-time teaching and training faculty at the University of Mysore. He played a pivotal role in initiating M.Sc. Science Programmes in the Open Distance Learning mode at Karnataka State Open University, serving as both Convener and Coordinator. His research credentials are further bolstered by his tenure as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at the Central Food Technological Research Institute, where he was awarded the prestigious All India level CSIR-Research Associateship. His research during this period focused on the molecular mechanism of extracellular cellulases in the post-harvest pathogenesis of Ceratocystis paradoxa on pineapple. Dr. Kumar’s expertise and experience make him a valuable asset in the field of Botany and Biotechnology.

He is currently a consultant and a trainer for science based competitive examination like UGC-CSIR NET and JRF, DBT, DST junior research fellowship etc. He gave offline as well as online contact programme lectures, invited talks and science lectures to both influence and familiarise concepts in science to motivated students.

Course certificate

1. End-Term Examination:

o Weightage: 70% of the final result

o Minimum Passing Criteria: 40%

2. Internal Assessment:

o Weightage: 30% of the final result

o Minimum Passing Criteria: 40%

Calculation of IA Marks:

o Out of all graded weekly assessments/assignments, the top 50% of assignments shall be considered for the calculation of the final Internal Assessment marks.

All students who obtain 40% marks in the internal assessment and 40% marks in the end-term proctored exam separately will be eligible for the SWAYAM Credit Certificate.

SWAYAM Helpline / Support