An Overview of Biological Basics - Bioprocess Engineering: Kinetics, Biosystems, Sustainability and Reactor Design - page 21

CHAPTER
2

An Ove rview of Biologic al Basics

OUTLINE

2.1. Cells and Organisms 21 2.3.2.3. Polysaccharides 56

2.1.1. Microbial Diversity 22 2.3.2.4. Phytic Acid and

Inositol 2.1.2. How Cells are Named 23 60

2.1.3. Viruses 25 2.3.3. Chitin and Chitosan 63

2.1.4. Prions 28 2.3.4. Lignin 64

2.1.5. Prokaryotes 29 2.3.5. Lipids, Fats, and Steroids 65

2.3.6. Nucleic Acids, RNA,
and DNA

2.1.5.1. Eubacteria 29

69

2.1.5.2. Archaebacteria 31

2.1.6. Eukaryotes 31

2.4. Cell Feed 76

2.2. Stem Cell 39 2.4.1. Macronutrients 77

2.4.2. Micronutrients 78

2.3. Cell Chemistry 41

2.4.3. Growth Media 80

2.3.1. Amino Acids and Proteins 41

2.3.2. Carbohydrates 48 2.5. Summary 81

2.3.2.1. Monosaccharides 49

Problems 83

2.3.2.2. Disaccharides 56

Bioprocess engineers seek chemicals and materials for human needs in a sustainable
manner. It is the chemicals and materials from biological origin that can sustain the needs
of humans. Microorganism also provides a tool for bioprocess engineers to manipulate the
chemicals and materials so that they can meet the needs of humanity. Therefore, we shall first
review some of the biological basics to learn how living organisms (more specific: microor-
ganisms) function and what their important chemicals and materials are.

2.1. CELLS AND ORGANISMS

The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. Cells
are to living organisms as like atoms are to molecules. It is the smallest unit of life that is