On the Carbon Source and Energy for Bacterial Growth
Covers the growth of all things, requires nutrients, and the reproduction of bacteria requires carbon sources and energy.

Carbon sources are the cornerstone of bacteria and the source of metabolism. There are many types of them, both organic and inorganic can be used. Organic carbon sources, such as sugars, alcohols, and organic acids, are rich in energy and carbon, which are relied on by many bacteria. After ingestion by bacteria, they are converted into bacterial components through metabolic pathways and released to maintain life activities. Among sugars, glucose is particularly good. Most bacteria can use it efficiently. Through glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle, they obtain energy and intermediate products for growth.

Inorganic carbon source, carbon dioxide as the source. Autotrophic bacteria can use light energy or chemical energy to fix carbon dioxide and synthesize organic substances. Photosynthetic bacteria rely on photosynthetic pigments to absorb light energy to drive the assimilation of carbon dioxide into carbohydrates, which is the basis for their growth.

Energy is a matter of survival for bacteria. In addition to carbon sources for energy supply, there are also other energy pathways. Chemo-autotrophic bacteria obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic substances, such as nitrifying bacteria, ammonia oxide or nitrous acid, to release energy to synthesize ATP for bacterial growth and reproduction.

Bacteria grow, and the carbon source and energy are coordinated. The two are suitable, and the bacteria multiply vigorously; if they are unbalanced, the growth is blocked. Therefore, studying the laws of bacterial growth and investigating the efficiency of carbon sources and energy sources can be of far-reaching significance for the advancement of microbiology and biotechnology, paving the way for stones, and in the fields of medicine, food, and environmental protection.