Learning objectives

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

1. Define carbohydrate catabolism and its role in microbial metabolism.
2. Describe the stages and products of glycolysis.
3. Explain the function of the Pentose Phosphate Pathway.
4. Compare the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas, Entner-Doudoroff, and Pentose Phosphate pathways.
5. Describe the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA.
6. Explain the steps and significance of the TCA cycle.
7. Differentiate between fermentation and respiration.
8. Compare aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
9. Calculate ATP yield from different carbohydrate catabolic pathways.
10. Relate carbohydrate catabolism to microbial growth and energy production.