Microbiology and Metabolism II: Eukaryotic Protists and Fungi

MIUS642: Microbiology and Metabolism II: Eukaryotic Protists and Fungi. This course focuses on the metabolic and physiological characteristics of eukaryotic protists and fungi. Emphasis is placed on their nutrition, growth, and metabolic processes, detailing how these organisms acquire nutrients and convert them into energy and essential biological products.  The topics covered include the various modes by which protists and fungi obtain nutrients from their environment, as well as the mechanisms underlying their growth. The metabolic pathways utilized by these organisms are explored, highlighting the transformations that occur during nutrient assimilation and energy production. A significant portion of the course examines how mitochondria and chloroplasts contribute to energy generation in eukaryotic cells. The processes involved in cellular respiration and photosynthesis are discussed, illustrating how these organelles enable protists and fungi to efficiently produce energy.  The course also addresses the formation of useful metabolic products by eukaryotic protists and fungi. These products, resulting from their metabolic activities, play important roles in both their survival and broader ecological interactions.