BIO 6 Flashcards
*Do all niches on the planet harbour microorganisms?
Yes, microorganisms are found in virtually all niches on the planet, ranging from extreme environments like deep-sea hydrothermal vents and acidic hot springs to more familiar habitats like soil, water bodies, and even within other organisms as symbionts. These microorganisms play crucial roles in various ecological processes and can adapt to diverse environmental conditions.
*Name three groups of microorganisms
1) Viruses
2) Prokaryotes (bacteria, Achaea)
3) Eukaryotes (Fungi, Algae, Protozoa, Slime molds)
*How do bacteria proliferate?
Bacteria proliferate primarily through binary fission, a process where one bacterial cell divides into two identical daughter cells. In binary fission, the bacterial cell replicates its genetic material and then divides into two daughter cells, each containing a copy of the genetic material. This process allows bacteria to rapidly increase their population under favorable environmental conditions.
BACTERIA PROLIFERATE = BINARY FISSION, BACTERIA CELL DUBLICATES IT GENERATIC MATERIAL => DIVIDED INTO TWO DAUGTHER CELLS.
*How is bacterial growth rate calculated
N(t)=N0exp(mu(t-t0))
mu=(ln(2)-ln(1))/g
*What do bacteria and archae have in common (as opposed to eukaryotes)
They are prokaryotes. (før kerne)
Archaea er de ældste, kan leve i meget ekstreme miljøer.
Bacteria: Kan findes i diverse environments. Can both help and hurt us.
Ingen kerne
Circular double-stranded DNA
Plsmaid (estra DNA)
Inclusion bodies (store stuff like nutrients). Bacteria do not have membrane bound organelles
BACTERIA AND ARCHAEA = PROKARYOTIC = FØR KERNE + INGEN MEMBRANEBUNDNE ORGANELLER.
kUN SINGULAR CIRCULAR CHROMOSOME
CELLULAR STRUCTURE IS SIMPLER
*How can CO2 absorption of the ocean be facilitated?
Ved at tilsætte Fe kan man øge the growth of phytoplankton. Promoting the growth of plankton:
På den måde får man flere pyhtoplankton som kan omdanne CO2 via fotosyntesen til C6H12O6. Nogle typer a phytoplankton såsom coccolithophores kan tage den opløste carbon fra vandet og bygge calcium carbonat strukturer som kan synke til havets bund når disse organismer dør. På den måde blvie opløst C omdannes of lageret på havet sbund som calcium carbonat.
Udfordingen er også at i og med mere of mere CO2 bliver opløst i vandet som konsekvens af øget CO2 i atmosfæren, så falder pH i havene. Da den lageret calcium carbonat er meget pH afhængig vil det betyder at når havets pH ædnrer sig kan det true at den lageret calcium carbonat bliver omdannet tilbage til CO2 igen, vhilket er en kæmpe udfording.
Phytoplankton, Emiliana huxley, bruger CO2 i photosynthesen of på den måde omdannes CO2.
Coccolithophores er en type af phytoplankton der danner calcium carbonate fra CO2 som synker til bunden.
CO2 ABSORPTION OF THE OCEAN = INCREASING PHYTOPLANKTON POPULATIONS BY ADDING FE. PYTHOPLANKTON = OMDANNER CO2 AND SOME OF THEM COCCOLITHOPHORES KAN BIULD CALCIUM CARBONAT STURCTURES SOM SYNKER TIL HAVETS BUND.
RISKS: PH GETS TO LOW THAT THE SINKING CACO3 GOES BACK TO CO2.
*What are (som of the) adverse effects of microorganisms?
Disease: Microorganisms can cause infectious diseases in humans, animals, and plants.
Food Spoilage: They can spoil food, leading to foodborne illnesses and economic losses.
Crop Diseases: Plant pathogens can infect crops, reducing yields and quality.
Environmental Damage: Certain microorganisms can contribute to pollution and ecological damage.
Biodegradation: While useful for waste management, they can also degrade materials like wood and metals.
Infrastructure Deterioration: Microorganisms can weaken structures like buildings and pipelines.
Allergies: Some produce allergens and irritants, causing allergic reactions and respiratory issues.
Antibiotic Resistance: Overuse of antibiotics leads to the emergence of resistant strains, making infections harder to treat.
DISADVANTAGES OF MICROORGANISMS: DISEASES IN PLANTS, ANIMALS, AND HUMANS. TOXINS THAT CAN BE HARMFUL. ALSÅ FOOD SPOILAGE. ALLERGIES.
*Name some (biotechnological) uses of microorganisms
Fermentation
USES OF MICROORGANISMS: ANTIBIOTICS, BEER, WINE, CHEESE. pRODUCE INSULIN OR OTHER MEDICATIONS
*What is meant by synthetic biology?
Synthetic biology is a field of science that involves redesigning organisms for useful purposes by engineering them to have new abilities. Synthetic biology researchers and companies around the world are harnessing the power of nature to solve problems in medicine, manufacturing and agriculture.
SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY: INVOLES THE APPLICATION OF ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES TO BIOLOGY.
*How can one determine the abundance of microorganisms in a niche?
microscopy (directly counting) or by DNA-based methods (Sequencing of DNA (and RNA) has revolutionized our ability to study (and use) microbiomes)
ESITAMTION OF NUMBERS OF MICROBES: PLATE COUNTING, FLOW CYTOMETRY, PCR
*How can one determine the functions of microorganisms in a niche?
Metagenomics (sequencing all genes from a sample): sequencing the collective genomic DNA of microorganisms directly from environmental samples => information on their functional roles based on the presence of specific genes and metabolic pathways.
*How do bacteria evolve (so rapidly)?
short generation time
large population sizes, greater change of benficial mutations
Horizontal gene transfer (through conjugation, transduction, transformation, gene transfer agents)
Exponential growth
FAST EVOLVEMENT OF BACTERIA = SHORT GENERATION TIMES, HIGH MUTATION RATES, GREATER CHNAGE OF BENEFICIAL MUTATIONS, HORIZONTAL GENE TRANSFER
*What is the advantage of heterogeneity in a microbial population?
difference in traits makes adaptation to different environments possible
variation provides resilience against stressors and predators
generates genetic variation for evolution
HETEROGENEITY IN A MICROBIAL POPULATION = INCREASING THE OVERALL CHANCES OF SURVIVAL FOR THE POPULATION
*Why can rRNA gene be used as a phylogenetic marker of all life?
Ribosomes consists of rRNA (and Protein). The rRNA gene sequences can be compared among various organisms. It is possible to make a family tree that shows hoe the different species are related to each other over evolutionary time.
- rRNA genes are present in all cellular organisms.
- rRNA has a stability over evolutionary time.
rRNA: CONSERVED ACROSS FDIFFERENT ORGANISMS BECAUSE THEY PERFORM A FUNDEMENTAL FUNCTION IN PROTEIN SYNTHESIS.
*Name one disadvantage and one advantage of bacterial biofilms
Bacterial biofilm:
- Water purification, since biofilms can eat harmful chemicals.
- Biofilms can help absorbing nutrients in agriculture.
Biofilms are dense mixed
communities. Bacteria likes to stick to things. Forming a thin film of bacteria.
Disadvantage: Corrosion, infection - implants, chronic infections
They are hard to remove.
Advantage: High resistance to environmental stresses
Can be used in:
- Water treatment
- Gut microbiome
- Plant protective bacteria
- Biofilm based fermentation
- Plant growth
-
BIOFILMS: LEAD TO INFECTIONS, BENEFICIAL IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT PROCESSES.
