Zoogloea ramigera
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
This organism plays an important part in waste water treatment by its ability to lower biological oxygen demand and by promoting the formation of sludge deposits.
Pathology
Zoogloea ramigera is nonpathogenic.
Application to Biotechnology
It is thought that Zoogloea ramigera is an indicator orgainsm for organic polluted environments and waste water. However, this does not seem to be universally true. Poly-B-hydroxbutyrate, a key component in the manufacture of biodegradable platics, is a product of Zoogloea ramigera when carbon sources are in abundance with the enzyme B-ketothiolase. Zoogloea ramigera is used in the bioaorption of metals in water sources. By recombiant DNA technology, isolation of the complete thiolase gene sequence has been successful.
Current Research
Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
References
Edited by student of Rachel Larsen
