Gram-Negative Biochemical Testing

Question 1

used to identify specific enzymes that are produced by microorganisms

Answer 1

Biochemical tests

Enzymes are categories into 2:
- Extracellular enzymes
Outside of the cell
Way of breaking high molecular weight into small building blocks by hydrolysis [breaking by adding water into chemical bonds]
[“digestive enzymes” that work outside the bacteria]
- Intracellular enzymes
Detected by the enzymes of Enterobacterales
[helps bacteria use nutrients for energy]

Question 2

main function of
- Extracellular Enzymes (Exoenzymes)
- Intracellular Enzymes (Endoenzymes)

Answer 2

EXOENZYMES
Break down large molecules (like starch, lipids, or proteins) into smaller pieces so they can enter the cell
reaction: hydrolysis (uses water to break bonds)

ENDOENZYMES
Use the small molecules (nutrients) inside the cell to produce energy and build new cell materials
reaction: metabolic reactions (fermentation, respiration, synthesis)

Question 3

type of reaction
- Extracellular Enzymes (Exoenzymes)
- Intracellular Enzymes (Endoenzymes)

Answer 3

EXOENZYMES
Usually hydrolysis (uses water to break bonds

ENDOENZYMES
Usually metabolic reactions (fermentation, respiration, synthesis)

Question 4

molecule size they act on
- Extracellular Enzymes (Exoenzymes)
- Intracellular Enzymes (Endoenzymes)

Answer 4

EXOENZYMES
High molecular weight (HMW) compounds
(starch, fats, proteins)

ENDOENZYMES
Low molecular weight (LMW) compounds
(simple sugars, amino acids)

Question 5

end product
- Extracellular Enzymes (Exoenzymes)
- Intracellular Enzymes (Endoenzymes)

Answer 5

EXOENZYMES
Small molecules like glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids

ENDOENZYMES
acids, and fatty acids
Cellular energy (ATP), new cell components