Thermus aquaticus*
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Thermus aquaticus*
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Deinococcus-Thermus; Deinococci; Thermales; Thermaceae
Species
Thermus Aquaticus
Description and significance
Thermus Aquaticus is a typical gram negative bacteria, meaning that its cell walls contain much less peptidoglycan than their gram positive cousins, and unlike gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria contain lipoproteins. Thermus Aquaticus appears as either a rod or short filaments, and the rod-shaped cells will tend to form either a rosette or a linear pattern [1]. When exposed to sunlight, Thermus can exhibit a yellow, pink, or red color due to pigments within the bacteria. Along with the coloration, Thermus Aquaticus can either have flagella or be immotile.
Genome structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes and plasmids? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Cell structure, metabolism & life cycle
Provide a physical and biochemical description of the organism. What kind of organism is it, what does it look like, how is it built, what are its metabolic properties, how can it be identified, what is it's life cycle, &c. In other words, describe the organism from its perspective.
Ecology (including pathogenesis)
Describe its habitat, symbiosis, and contributions to environment. If it is a pathogen, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Describe virulence factors and patient symptoms.
Interesting feature
Describe in detail one particularly interesting aspect of your organism or it's affect on humans or the environment.
References
Edited by the NC State University MB 103 class of 2007.
