All organisms require very similar elements when making more of themselves.
The exact requirements of microbes are discussed in detail in the section on Nutrition and Growth of Bacteria . Microbes obtain these basic building blocks from their environment. Microbes must first find these molecules in their environment and then collect them inside the cell. Finding food Many microbes are non-motile and are prisoners of chance, being subject to greater forces around them that bring food their way or not. Their's is a feast of famine existence and they are very good at surviving lean times until suitable nutrient conditions present themselves.