Naegleria gruberi: Difference between revisions
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==Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle== | ==Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle== | ||
In its amoeboid form, ''N. gruberi'' has no cytoplasmic microtubule cytoskeleton and the organelles are able to move around within the cell. When transforming into the flagellate form, it creates a cytoplasmic microtubule cytoskeleton from scratch. Two basal bodies and two flagella are also formed. In some cases three or four flagella may be produced, but two is the most common. The basal bodies function to anchor the flagella to the cell and aid in movement. During this phase, the organelles are immobilized. When in the dormant cyst stage, the nucleus size is reduced and the RNA-containing bodies are in the cytoplasms [4]. An image of the amoeboid and flagellate cell structures can be seen in Figure 1. | |||
''N. gruberi'' has three stages of life: amoeba, flagellate, and cyst, as illustrated in Figure 2. During the amoeba phase, its primary stage of life, it feeds on bacteria and reproduces by way of mitosis. In a lab setting, transferring ''N. gruberi'' in its amoeba stage from a solid media to a liquid media can cause it to change into a flagellate. Other stressors can cause this change as well, such as temperature, osmotic, or pH changes. After approximately two hours, the flagellate reverts back to an amoeba. When the amoeba reach their stationary phase, they can form resting cysts. This dormant period allows them to survive conditions that would otherwise be fatal to amoeba, such as extreme temperatures, drying, and pH. The cysts are enclosed in a double wall containing several pores. When the time comes to change back, the amoeba crawls out of the cyst through one of the pores [4,5]. | |||
==Ecology and Pathogenesis== | ==Ecology and Pathogenesis== | ||
Revision as of 06:34, 27 April 2022
Classification
Domain: Eukaryote
Phylum: Protozoa
Class: Lobosa
Order: Amoebida
Family: Vahlkampfidae
Species
Naegleria gruberi
Description and Significance
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.
Genome Structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
In its amoeboid form, N. gruberi has no cytoplasmic microtubule cytoskeleton and the organelles are able to move around within the cell. When transforming into the flagellate form, it creates a cytoplasmic microtubule cytoskeleton from scratch. Two basal bodies and two flagella are also formed. In some cases three or four flagella may be produced, but two is the most common. The basal bodies function to anchor the flagella to the cell and aid in movement. During this phase, the organelles are immobilized. When in the dormant cyst stage, the nucleus size is reduced and the RNA-containing bodies are in the cytoplasms [4]. An image of the amoeboid and flagellate cell structures can be seen in Figure 1.
N. gruberi has three stages of life: amoeba, flagellate, and cyst, as illustrated in Figure 2. During the amoeba phase, its primary stage of life, it feeds on bacteria and reproduces by way of mitosis. In a lab setting, transferring N. gruberi in its amoeba stage from a solid media to a liquid media can cause it to change into a flagellate. Other stressors can cause this change as well, such as temperature, osmotic, or pH changes. After approximately two hours, the flagellate reverts back to an amoeba. When the amoeba reach their stationary phase, they can form resting cysts. This dormant period allows them to survive conditions that would otherwise be fatal to amoeba, such as extreme temperatures, drying, and pH. The cysts are enclosed in a double wall containing several pores. When the time comes to change back, the amoeba crawls out of the cyst through one of the pores [4,5].
Ecology and Pathogenesis
Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
References
Author
Page authored by Charles Canty and Rachael Bretz, students of Prof. Jay Lennon at IndianaUniversity.
