Case Study 3- How Microbes Survive

docx

School

Utah Valley University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

3450

Subject

Biology

Date

Jan 9, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by MasterCrocodilePerson996

Microorganisms and their adaptations to extreme environments Now that you understand how bacteria are cultured in the laboratory, you decide to explore how microorganisms exist in more realistic environments. You list some of the most common stressors faced by “extremophiles” and look up ways microbes tolerate them. While you’re searching, you come across the following worksheet. You know that this might not apply to all environments, but at least it will help you understand how microorganisms can adjust to extremes in conditions like temperature, pH, and other stressors you might not even know are extreme – like oxygen! You decide to work through this exercise quickly before you have a dentist appointment. Worksheet Look closely at plasma membranes (c) and (d):  Which membrane (c – highly saturated, d - highly unsaturated) is most likely to belong to Psychrobacter cryohalolentis? Why?  Membrane D because this organism lives in extremely cold environments, D shows reverse supercoil in the membrane which means it can withstand extreme temperatures.  Which membrane (c – highly saturated, d - highly unsaturated) is most likely to belong to Thermus aquaticus ? Why?  Membrane C because the organism lives in extremely hot temperatures; C shows a dense saturated fatty acid in cell membrane .  In which of the above organisms would a chaperone protein be essential to maintain the functionality of enzymes?  Organism C do no denature due to the chaperone proteins that have extra saturated fatty acids in their plasma membrane. 1 Modified from ASM Collection of Activities

Note – chaperone proteins are often required to help form proteins initially, but they are more essential for one class of extremophiles.  In which of the above organisms would you expect to find cryoprotectants?  Organism C because it also needs a thick mucus capsule to protect itself.  Identify which of the above membranes is more likely to be that of an acidophile and which would belong to an alkaliphile? Why?  The membrane on the right is acidophile; because it is pumping H+ into the environment which makes it more acidic.  Block H+  The membrane on the left if alkaliphile because it is decreasing H+ in the environment by intake which makes it more basic.  Bring in H+  What would you expect to be the internal pH of an organism growing at pH 2? Explain why this is necessary to maintain functionality.  Neutral, because if the environment is acidic.  Internal working of a cell must be kept approximately neutral 2 Modified from ASM Collection of Activities

 How do halophiles use compatible solutes to enable their survival in saline environments?  To prevent water from leaving the cell and causes shrinking.  Can import them into a cell to maintain osmotic balance in hypertonic solution, but they don’t impede any function of the cell.  Why is superoxide dismutase an important enzyme?  To produce hydrogen peroxide  Allow for the breakdown of reactive oxygen species and thus enables organism to tolerate the presences of oxygen.  Looking back at the membranes shown at the beginning of this worksheet, which of these is more likely to be found in the deep-sea dwelling Salinicola salarius ?  Membrane D  High pressure means membrane must avoid being smushed. At the Dentist With this worksheet completed, you rush over to your dentist’s office. Your dentist tells you that things aren’t looking good, and you have a large number of microorganisms in your mouth! He recommends you do a highly expensive laser removal to “eliminate all microorganisms from your oral cavity”. “You see,” your dentist begins, “dental plaque is essentially a highly ordered, surface-associated assemblage of microbes embedded in an extracellular matrix.” “Oh – so a biofilm? I know what that is!” Your dentist decides to test your knowledge. Show him what you know about biofilms by answering the following questions. 1. What is a biofilm?  COMPLEX aggregation of cells ENCASED within an EXTRACELLULAR POLYMERIC SUBSTANCE (EPS). 2. What benefits do they provide to microorganisms living in the community? 3 Modified from ASM Collection of Activities

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

 Can HELP to ALLOW for Microbial COMMUNITIES to GROW and to DIFFERENTIATE  Protect members of the community from environmental stressors. 3. How do biofilms form? (Fill in details for each of the four steps)  Step 1: Cell Disposition and Attachment i. PLANTONIC cells MUST collide with a SUITABLE surface.  Step 2: Colonization i. Cell-to-cell SIGNALING occurs, Leading to the EXPRESSION of biofilm SPECIFIC genes. 1. USUALLY associated with QUORUM SENSING  Step 3: Maturation i. The EXOPOLYSACCHARIDE MATRIX fully ENCASES ALL the CELL and the biofilm THICKENS and GROWS .  Step 4: Detachment and Sloughing i. To PROMOTE dispersion, SOME cells are RELEASED to the ENVIRONMENT often TRIGGERED by NUTRIENT or OXYGEN DEPLETION within the biofilm . 4 Modified from ASM Collection of Activities

“Wow – what a great knowledge of biofilms!” your dentist exclaims. “I didn’t realize I was dealing with a microbiologist – forget the laser removal. I’m sure you know that microbes are an important part of ecosystems, including in your mouth. Therefore, eliminating them all wouldn’t be good for you or last very long. While laser removal can be useful in extreme cases, I was just trying to get you to pay for an unnecessary procedure. Just keep brushing and flossing regularly to ensure the bad microbes don’t take over and cause cavities.” “Thanks, doc,” you say, feeling like you avoided a disaster by not paying for this unnecessary treatment. You decide to go home and search for a new dental provider. 5 Modified from ASM Collection of Activities

Related Documents

immunologic_disorders_chapter_31_and_32.docx

Case Study-week 1.pdf

Week 4 discussion resp 1 prac 6540.docx

Case Study 7- Mechanisms Of Action.docx

Case Study 7- Mechanisms Of Action corrections.docx

Humans and Microbes (CORRECTED).docx

Chapter 42 (3101).docx

7. Backg_Lab Assign_ Instrumentation (1).pdf

The Endocrine System.docx

ecology - Nitrogen and terrestrial ecosystems.docx

top-down control simbio.docx

SImbio Prairie Patches.pdf

Recommended textbooks for you

Microbiology for Surgical Technologists (MindTap ...

Biology

ISBN:9781111306663

Author:Margaret Rodriguez, Paul Price

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Biomedical Instrumentation Systems

Chemistry

ISBN:9781133478294

Author:Chatterjee

Publisher:Cengage

Principles Of Pharmacology Med Assist

Biology

ISBN:9781337512442

Author:RICE

Publisher:Cengage

Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative a...

Nursing

ISBN:9781305964792

Author:Wilburta Q. Lindh, Carol D. Tamparo, Barbara M. Dahl, Julie Morris, Cindy Correa

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Curren'S Math For Meds: Dosages & Sol

Nursing

ISBN:9781305143531

Author:CURREN

Publisher:Cengage

Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...

Biology

ISBN:9781305251052

Author:Michael Cummings

Publisher:Cengage Learning

SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS

Recommended textbooks for you

Microbiology for Surgical Technologists (MindTap ...
Biology
ISBN:9781111306663
Author:Margaret Rodriguez, Paul Price
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Biomedical Instrumentation Systems
Chemistry
ISBN:9781133478294
Author:Chatterjee
Publisher:Cengage
Principles Of Pharmacology Med Assist
Biology
ISBN:9781337512442
Author:RICE
Publisher:Cengage
Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative a...
Nursing
ISBN:9781305964792
Author:Wilburta Q. Lindh, Carol D. Tamparo, Barbara M. Dahl, Julie Morris, Cindy Correa
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Curren'S Math For Meds: Dosages & Sol
Nursing
ISBN:9781305143531
Author:CURREN
Publisher:Cengage
Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...
Biology
ISBN:9781305251052
Author:Michael Cummings
Publisher:Cengage Learning