Test 1 - Bacillus anthracis Flashcards
What is its genus? What does it mean for its structure and cell wall?
Bacillus; Rod-shaped and Gram +
What is its organization in terms of flagella?
Peritrichous.
What part makes B. anthracis more dangerous? What is it made of, and what is its effect on cell? When and where is it developed?
Capsule. Made up of Poly-O-Glutamic Acid. (-) charge means that bacteria as whole is more (-) charged, and causes it to be shielded from macrophages. It is made in host before germination.
What group does it belong to? 3 Other organisms?
Firmicates.
- Streptococcus
- Straphylococcus
- Listoria
Is it an aerobe or an anaerobe? What metabolism does it perform?
Obligate aerobe. It performs glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation.
It is a (chemo/photo)(autotroph/heterotroph).
Chemoheterotroph.
Chemo- means:
C from organic molecules.
Photo- means:
C from CO2.
-autotroph means:
Energy from light
-heterotroph means:
Energy from OXIDATION of organic molecules.
What does Bacillus anthracis secrete to access food?
Zn2+ metalloprotease.
What does Zn2+ Metalloprotease do? Why do they do that? (3)
- Break peptide bonds; to digest p.p. into a.a, which they can use for growth and energy.
- Breakdown collagen; to leak and eventually burst BLOOD VESSELS, which means + nutrients.
- Lyse RBC and Macrophage; for + nutrient and to prevent immune defense, respectively.
What is the advantage of digesting p.p. into a.a.?
no energy spent creating its own a.a. de novo (from scratch)
What other exotoxins do Bacillus anthracis secrete? (3). Why?
- Lethal Factor (LF): Kills cells
- Edema Factor (EF): Causes tissues to swell.
- Protective Antigen (PA): NOT EXOTOXIN BY ITSELF, but allows LF and EF to enter host cells.
- All three + nutrient and - immune response, like the third function of Zn2+ metalloprotease.
Does B. anthracis grow? How?
Elongation.
Does B. anthracis develop? How?
Yes. Forms endospores.
What triggers the germination of B. anthracis endospore? What happens as a result?
+ [CO2] / blood components–> Transcription of genes for emergence and infection.
Does B. anthracis reproduce? How?
Binary Fission.
What is the single purpose in B. anthracis’ adaptations?
Infecting the host.
What are 3 methods of infection for B. anthracis? What is the distinguishing characteristic of the most common form?
- Cutaneous Anthrax: from cut/abrasion. Causes skin ulcer caused by Zn2+ metalloprotease, which ++ SA where B. anthracis may enter the host.
- Gastrointestinal Anthrax
- Pulmonary Anthrax
How is it treated? Why does this treatment work? What happens without treatment?
Penicillin or derivative, because Gram + means a lot of peptidoglycan for the penicillin to mess. Without treatment, if B. anthracis enters the bloodstream proper, it causes septicemia (widespread infection.)
What genetic components causes germination? (2) How does it work?
Acp A and Atx A. Exact mechanism unknown, but without these, B. anthracis does not germinate.
