Zoogloea ramigera

From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Zoogloea ramigera

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Betaproteobacteria; Rhodocycales; Zoogloea

Species

Zoogloea ramigera

Description and significance

The generic name Zoogloea has its origin in the Greek language and translats as “living glue.” It is on this description of its unique characteristic that the organism obtained its name. At one time the only recognized species of the genus Zoogloea, Zoogloea ramigera is an aerobic, chemoorganotrophic, gram-negative, straight to slightly curved rod shaped, nonspore forming bacteria. Zoogloea ramigera occur free living in organically poluted fresh water and waste water at all stages of treatment.

 www.mikroskopie.de/schlamm/bilder/zoogloea.jpg

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? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?

Cell Structure and Metabloism

These bacteria are arranged in sharply demarcated columns or fingers which protrude from clusters and constitute the historically recognized growth form of Zoogloea ramigera. Cells are nonpigmented. Cells in older cultures may be encapsulated. Although aerobic, growth may occur anaerobicly in the presence of nitrate. The preferred temperature for growth is 28-37 degrees C. Zoogloea ramigera flourish in an environment with a pH of 7.0-7.5. This organism is Oxidase positive and weakly Catalase positive. The formation of flocs and films in liquid media at late stages of growth are distinguished by treelike or fingerlike morphology. Colonies on C4 agar, at 3-4 days, reach 1mm in diameter are circular, raised, & translucent with opaque centers of gray or white. Edges are entire or lobate. Mature colonies are tenacious and cohesive and can be lifted from agar surface intact with a needle. Zoogloea are not fastidious nutritionally and may be cultured on a variety of organic carbon sources in a simple defined media. Actively mobile, Zoogloea ramigera has a single polar flagellum. This bacteria forms characteristic cell aggregates surrounded by gellatinous matrices, called zoogloeal matrices, composed if extracellular polymer strands of polysaccharides.

Genome structure

Ecology

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Pathology

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Application to Biotechnology

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Current Research

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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 Rachel Larsen