Quorum Sensing in Bacteria: Communication
Equals Modification
Christal J. Thomas
November 7, 2010
BCMB 409/ Section 001
Professor: Tom Dockendorff
Bacteria: Communication Equals Modification
Bacteria are organisms that are extremely copious upon this planet. They are tiny and most are single celled organisms that can survive in just about any environment. Anywhere from plants to the human body is where these organisms can be discovered. Some of the strangest places that support bacterial life include places that have extremes of temperature. These bacteria are also very strange, much different from bacteria found living in and around humans. For example bacteria that live in extreme cold, like the North Pole, use methane as their substrates; and the ones that live in the deep sea use hydrogen sulphide. While most bacteria can live without oxygen (anaerobic bacteria) or whether they are aerobic bacteria that require oxygen. These particular bacteria use carbon-based sugars as main energy source. Even with so much diversity among bacteria, the most interesting part is how they communicate. Cell communication is a central mechanism in bacteria cells because it provides examples of parasitism relationship among different organisms such as S. aureus. It gives a means to control infections through a complex mechanism which is found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This touches on some variety of processes, including genetic transfer, antibiotic production growth and pathogenesis.
Many bacteria cells possess a unique communication system that allows them to exchange information within their own cell or among other cells. There have been recent studies about the communication among bacteria cells by using small molecules in order to communication with each other. These small molecules could consist of amino acid, peptide chains, or fatty acid derivatives. Moreover, these molecules aid the cells into exhibiting multi-cellular behaviors. The bacterium has the ability to sense diffusible signal molecules that are
November 7, 2010
BCMB 409/ Section 001
Professor: Tom Dockendorff
Bacteria: Communication Equals Modification
Bacteria are organisms that are extremely copious upon this planet. They are tiny and most are single celled organisms that can survive in just about any environment. Anywhere from plants to the human body is where these organisms can be discovered. Some of the strangest places that support bacterial life include places that have extremes of temperature. These bacteria are also very strange, much different from bacteria found living in and around humans. For example bacteria that live in extreme cold, like the North Pole, use methane as their substrates; and the ones that live in the deep sea use hydrogen sulphide. While most bacteria can live without oxygen (anaerobic bacteria) or whether they are aerobic bacteria that require oxygen. These particular bacteria use carbon-based sugars as main energy source. Even with so much diversity among bacteria, the most interesting part is how they communicate. Cell communication is a central mechanism in bacteria cells because it provides examples of parasitism relationship among different organisms such as S. aureus. It gives a means to control infections through a complex mechanism which is found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This touches on some variety of processes, including genetic transfer, antibiotic production growth and pathogenesis.
Many bacteria cells possess a unique communication system that allows them to exchange information within their own cell or among other cells. There have been recent studies about the communication among bacteria cells by using small molecules in order to communication with each other. These small molecules could consist of amino acid, peptide chains, or fatty acid derivatives. Moreover, these molecules aid the cells into exhibiting multi-cellular behaviors. The bacterium has the ability to sense diffusible signal molecules that are
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