Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Chapter 10 Outline
Introduction Symbiotic Relationships Involving Microorganisms
Agricultural Microbiology
Microbial Biotechnology
Introduction
Ecology is the systematic study of the interrelationships that exist between organisms and their environment. Microbial ecology is the study of the numerous interrelationships between microbes and the world around them. Most relationships between humans and microbes are beneficial, rather than harmful. Microorganisms are present both on and in our bodies; collectively, they are referred to as our indigenous microflora (older term = normal flora).
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A symbiotic relationship that is beneficial to both symbionts; examples include lichens (an alga and a fungus) and the relationship humans have with the intestinal bacterium, Escherichia coli).
Copyright 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Blood, lymph, spinal fluid, and most internal tissues and organs are normally free of microorganisms (i.e., they are sterile).
Transient microflora take up temporary residence on and within humans. Destruction of resident microflora disturbs the delicate balance between host and microorganisms.
Copyright 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Primarily bacteria and fungi about 30 different types; most common = Staphylococcus spp.
Number and variety of microorganisms depend on: Amount of moisture present pH Temperature
Salinity
Presence of chemical wastes and other microbes
Copyright 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Many members of our indigenous microflora are beneficial in that they prevent other microbes from becoming established
Other examples of microbial antagonism involve:
Production of antibiotics and bacteriocins (antibacterial proteins); an example is colicin, produced by E. coli
Copyright 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Examples: E. coli, other members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, S. aureus, and Enterococcus spp.
The delicate balance of the indigenous microflora can be upset by antibiotics, other types of chemotherapy, and changes in pH Bacteria and yeasts used to stabilize the microbial balance are called biotherapeutic agents or probiotics
Microbial Communities
It is rare to find an ecologic niche in which only one type of microorganism is causing a particular effect Microorganisms are often organized into biofilms complex communities of assorted organisms. Biofilms are everywhere; example dental plaque. Biofilms consist of a variety of different species of bacteria plus a gooey polysaccharide that the bacteria secrete; the bacteria grow in tiny clusters called microcolonies, separated by water channels Biofilms have medical significance; they form on urinary catheters and medical equipment and can cause diseases like endocarditis
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Synergistic Infections
When 2 or more organisms team up to produce a disease that neither could cause by itself The diseases are called synergistic infections, polymicrobial infections, or mixed infections Examples: Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG, trench mouth, or Vincents disease). Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
Agricultural Microbiology
There are many uses for microorganisms in agriculture (e.g., their use in genetic engineering). Role of Microbes in Elemental Cycles Bacteria found within other microorganisms are known as endosymbionts. Microorganisms play an important role in the cycling of nutrients and elements like nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus. N2 is converted by nitrogen-fixing bacteria and cyanobacteria into ammonia (NH3) and ammonium ion (NH4).
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(A) Soybean root nodules, which contain nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium bacteria. (B) Nitrogen-fixing bacteria (arrows) can be seen in this cross section of a soybean root nodule.
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A variety of human pathogens live in soil including Clostridium spp. (such as C. tetani and C. botulinum) and the spores of Bacillus anthracis.
The types and amount of microorganisms living in soil depend on many factors (e.g., amount of decaying matter, available nutrients, moisture, amount of O2, pH, temperature and the presence of waste products of other microbes).
Copyright 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Biotechnology
Defined as any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use Microbes are used in a variety of industries, including the production of certain foods and beverages, food additives, vaccines, and antibiotics. Microbes are used in the production of foods like bread, cheeses, olives, pickles, vinegar and yogurt, as well as in the production of alcoholic beverages like beer and wine. Many antibiotics and drugs are produced in pharmaceutical companies by fungi and bacteria (penicillin for example).
Copyright 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Bioremediation
Bioremediation refers to the use of microorganisms to clean up various types of wastes, including industrial and toxic wastes, and environmental pollutants (e.g., herbicides and pesticides). Some microbes are genetically engineered to digest specific wastes (e.g., petroleum-digesting bacteria to clean up oil spills).
Methanotrophs (bacteria that normally consume methane in the environment) have been used to remove highly toxic solvents like trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene from the soil.
Copyright 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins