7.1 Overview of microbial growth The bacterial cell is a synthetic machine that is able to duplicate itself.The processes involve as many as 2000 chemical reactions of a wide variety of types: Energy transformations. Biosynthesis of small molecules-the building,blocks of macromolecules-as well as the various cofactors and coenzymes needed for enzymatic reactions. 7.1 Overview of microbial growth The bacterial cell is a synthetic machine that is able to duplicate itself. The processes involve as many as 2000 chemical reactions of a wide variety of types: • Energy transformations. • Biosynthesis of small molecules-the building, blocks of macromolecules-as well as the various cofactors and coenzymes needed for enzymatic reactions