User:HilbrichS: Difference between revisions

From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource
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==Cell structure and metabolism==
==Cell structure and metabolism==
Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
 
Campylobacter are microscopic helically-shaped cells. They look to have a "gulled-wing" appearance due to their spiral shape. Campylobacter have flagella and are describes as having rapid darting motility due to a long polar flagellum at either one or both ends of the cell. The flagellum is very long, often several times the longer than the length of the cell. Motility is slower in a wet environment due to it's sensitivity to levels of oxygen. Campylobacter has an outer covering of lipopolysaccharides due to its Gram negative protperty. The cell surface contains porins that are associated with the peptidoglycan layer as well as adhesive binding proteins. The cells can morph to cocci or elongated cells if left in a prolonged culture, or are exposed to oxygen. [http://www.life.umd.edu/classroom/bsci424/pathogendescriptions/Campylobacter.htm]


==Ecology==
==Ecology==

Revision as of 17:35, 9 May 2012

This student page has not been curated.

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus HilbrichS

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Delta/Epsilon subdivision; Campylobacterales; Campylobacteraceae [NCBI

Species

C. coli, C. concisus, C.curvus, C.fetus subsp. fetus, C. fetus subsp venerealis, C. gracilis, C. helveticus, C.hominis, C. hyointestinalis subsp hyointestinalis, C. hyointestinalis subsp lawsonii, C.jejuni subsp doylei, C. jejuni jejuni, C. lanienae, C.lari, C. mucosalis, C.rectus, C. showae, C. spoterum, C. upsaliensis, B. ureolyticus [Ketley, Julian M., and Michael E. Konkel. Campylobacter: Molecular and Cellular Biology. Wymondham, UK: Horizon Bioscience, 2005. Print]



Campylobacter

Description and significance

Campylobacter is microaerophilic meaning it needs oxygen to survive, but the level of oxygen must be lower than the atmospheric levels. Too much oxygen and the bacterium could be killed. It is spiral in shape, a flagellate, and is very fragile. Campylobacter can be killed in high levels of oxygen or drying. Most campylobacter is found within the intestinal tract of animals such as dogs, cats, poultry, swine, cattle, monkeys, rodents, wild birds, and even within humans. In humans the bacteria can live and survive without causing illness although often it does. The bacteria cycles through the environment by traveling through the intestinal tracts of animals and exiting the body through feces. The feces is then incorporated into the soil which maintains the low level of oxygen. The animals eat plants and sometimes soil containing the bacteria and the cycle continues. Campylobacter can be found in untreated water that is contaminated with fecal matter and therefore contributes to the cycle of the bacteria. [1] and [2]

Genome structure

Campylobacter species have varying genomes, but one of the most common species that affects humans and livestock is Campylobacter jejuni. Using C. jejuni as an example for the genomic structures, it has a circular chromosome made up of 1.6 million base pairs. The large number of base pairs allows for C. jejuni to code for 1,654 proteins that lead to 54 RNA species that are stable. The C. jejuni species genome is unusual because there is no insertion sequence or phage- associated sequence within it. Within the genome, there is also very little repetition of sequences, but hypervariable regions have been found. The short sequences of homopolymeric nucleotides that are varaible, are often found in regions that code for biosynthesis or for modification to the cell surface structures. It is believed that the hypervariability of the short runs is one of C. jejuni's main survival strategy. [3]

Cell structure and metabolism

Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces. Campylobacter are microscopic helically-shaped cells. They look to have a "gulled-wing" appearance due to their spiral shape. Campylobacter have flagella and are describes as having rapid darting motility due to a long polar flagellum at either one or both ends of the cell. The flagellum is very long, often several times the longer than the length of the cell. Motility is slower in a wet environment due to it's sensitivity to levels of oxygen. Campylobacter has an outer covering of lipopolysaccharides due to its Gram negative protperty. The cell surface contains porins that are associated with the peptidoglycan layer as well as adhesive binding proteins. The cells can morph to cocci or elongated cells if left in a prolonged culture, or are exposed to oxygen. [4]

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 and or Application to Biotechnology

Enter summaries of the most recent research and/or application to biotechnology here--at least three required

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Edited by student of Dr. Lynn M Bedard, DePauw University http://www.depauw.edu