Clostridium tetani: Difference between revisions
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== Cell structure and metabolism== | == Cell structure and metabolism== | ||
C. tetani is a gram-positive bacterium, which means it has a thick cell wall made up of multiple layers of peptidoglycan. It has only one cell membrane, which is located on | C. tetani is a gram-positive bacterium, which means it has a thick cell wall made up of multiple layers of peptidoglycan. It has only one cell membrane, which is located on the inside of the cell wall. C. tetani produces and secretes mamny enzymes that break down susbtances in the environment, including proteins, fats , and carbohydrates. They are able to convert these sustances into chemicals they can use for energy. | ||
==Ecology== | ==Ecology== |
Revision as of 22:19, 18 October 2011
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Clostridium tetani
Classification
NEUF2011 Kaitlyn Bergeron, Patrick Barrett, Jaclyn Egitto, Alexander Mastriano
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Firmicutes; Clostridia; Clostridiales; Clostridiaceae
Species
Clostridium tetani
Description and significance
C. tetani is a bacillus, or rod-shaped bacterium. The bacteria is Gram positive and commonly takes the shape of a drumstick when Gram stained. This drumstick appearance is due to the spore formation that occurs inside the cell. C. tetani is known for causing tetanus. Spores of the bacterium enter the body through open wounds and germinate once inside. C. tetani move around by the use of rotary flagella. The organization of these flagella is peritrichous, which means there are flagella randomly assorted around the cell. These bacteria are found in many different environments, most commonly in soil, dust, animal intestines, and in animal feces. They are obligate anaerobes and thus rely on fermentation and cannot tolerate the presence of oxygen.
Genome structure
The genome of C. tetani consists of one chromosome of 2776 genes. All but one of these genes are protein-coding genes (99.96%). There are 2,799,25 base pairs in the genome encoding 2,372 open reading frames. The tetanus toxin is located on the pE88 plasmid. The gene for the toxin is called tetX and is located next to a gene encoding a collagenase called colT. There 74,082 base pairs in the pE88 plasmid that codes for the toxin.
Cell structure and metabolism
C. tetani is a gram-positive bacterium, which means it has a thick cell wall made up of multiple layers of peptidoglycan. It has only one cell membrane, which is located on the inside of the cell wall. C. tetani produces and secretes mamny enzymes that break down susbtances in the environment, including proteins, fats , and carbohydrates. They are able to convert these sustances into chemicals they can use for energy.
Ecology
Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Current Research
Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
Cool Factor
Describe something you fing "cool" about this microbe.
References
Edited by student of Iris Keren