Final answer:
Microorganisms need trace elements in small amounts for enzyme function and maintaining protein structure, with iron, boron, chromium, and manganese being particularly important as enzyme cofactors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Microorganisms require small quantities of trace elements for enzyme function and maintenance of protein structure. While these microorganisms do need macronutrients such as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur for their growth and development, they only need trace elements or micronutrients in smaller amounts. Elements such as iron, boron, chromium, and manganese are vital as they primarily serve as enzyme cofactors. Without these micronutrients, cells cannot carry out their functional processes correctly, as these elements are involved in a wide range of cellular functions including but not limited to, the function of cytochromes involved in electron-transport reactions.