Escherichia coli
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
(→Anatomy) |
(→Reproduction) |
||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
== Reproduction == | == Reproduction == | ||
| - | This bacteria, E. coli, reproduces asexually and duplicates itself almost exactly. The cell first begins to grow, by length, not by width. After it grows by length, it will make a replica of its genome. Sometimes small mistakes can be made within this replication, but none big enough to effect the reproduction process | + | This bacteria, E. coli, reproduces asexually and duplicates itself almost exactly. The cell first begins to grow, by length, not by width. After it grows by length, it will make a replica of its genome. Sometimes small mistakes can be made within this replication, but none big enough to effect the reproduction process. [http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2008/moder_just/reproduction.htm]<br> E. coli actually reproduces every twenty minutes! Symmetry is key in the process of division. Also, this bacteria ages as it goes through the process of division. When the older cell separates from the newer daughter cell, its growth rate can drop and it can now die much more quickly. [http://www.ecoli-model.com/index_files/Page382.html] There is also another less common way that these cells can reproduce. It's by conjugation. Genetics can actually be passed from one E. coli cell to another. This is definitely '''not''' considered sexual reproduction because there are no gametes included in this process. One of these bacteria produces a genome, and this genome will be placed in the other bacteria. Then, an enzyme will release, as if calling for a mate. This bacteria that set off the enzyme has the genome and is F+. This enzyme will search for another E. coli bacteria that doesn't contain it, so that bacteria is called F-. The F+ bacteria connects to the F- bacteria and will transfer its information to the other, and the process is finished. [http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2008/moder_just/reproduction.htm] |
== Ecology == | == Ecology == | ||
Revision as of 23:22, 10 March 2009
Please do not edit the article until this banner is removed.
| Escherichia coli |
|---|
|
| Scientific Classification |
|
| Binomial Name |
|
Escherichia coli |
 |
Contents |
Introduction
Escherichia coli was founded by a man named Theodor Escherisch (hence the name Escherichia coli). Theodor was a pediatrition in the late 1800's[1], and the disease was founded in 1885. [2] His goal was to help treat diseases carried by young children. E. coli is a type of bacteria that can live comfortably in the intestines of humans and animals (cattle especially). It can also be grown in unpausterized juices and dairy products. E. coli is a single-celled organism that mainly produces asexually. It can multiply quickly, and spread in different areas of a humans body. E. coli's main food source is carbon which is derived from glucose molecules. Since so much energy is needed, a high ATP level is important. E. coli is also known as food poisoning, hamburgers disease, E. coli diarrhea, and traveler's diarrhea. [3]
Anatomy
E. coli is made up of about 70% water, and is a single-celled organism. This cell moves about with it's multiple flagellum. The chromosome of the E. Coli cell has DNA about 700 times longer than the body itself. Most of the 4,288 genes within this cell can code different kinds of proteins. Out of all of those genes, only 62% actually have a function. Fifty different kinds of proteins can be read by E. Coli's genes, which are used for two different things. These proteins control the behavior of the cell, and can build up flagella. In about 20 minutes or so, in a favorable environment, it can duplicate itself into another cell. [4] Even though this cell seems to only live in the intestines of animals and humans, it can also survive in many different types of enivornments.[5]
Reproduction
This bacteria, E. coli, reproduces asexually and duplicates itself almost exactly. The cell first begins to grow, by length, not by width. After it grows by length, it will make a replica of its genome. Sometimes small mistakes can be made within this replication, but none big enough to effect the reproduction process. [6]
E. coli actually reproduces every twenty minutes! Symmetry is key in the process of division. Also, this bacteria ages as it goes through the process of division. When the older cell separates from the newer daughter cell, its growth rate can drop and it can now die much more quickly. [7] There is also another less common way that these cells can reproduce. It's by conjugation. Genetics can actually be passed from one E. coli cell to another. This is definitely not considered sexual reproduction because there are no gametes included in this process. One of these bacteria produces a genome, and this genome will be placed in the other bacteria. Then, an enzyme will release, as if calling for a mate. This bacteria that set off the enzyme has the genome and is F+. This enzyme will search for another E. coli bacteria that doesn't contain it, so that bacteria is called F-. The F+ bacteria connects to the F- bacteria and will transfer its information to the other, and the process is finished. [8]
Ecology
Escherichia Coli can be found in both humans and animals. It lives it the intestines of most people/ animals that carry the bacteria. E. Coli can actually live in a healthy cow, but then when the cow is slaughtered, the bacteria can transcend. Raw milk, fresh vegetables, and unpasteurized drinks can cause an outbreak of this bacteria in a human. In children under five years old, this bacteria can kill the red blood cells and destroy their kidneys. [9] This bacteria can be grown at ease at 37 degrees celcius. [10]
The E. coli bacteria cell is a heterotrophic feeder (meaning that it gets its food from some other source) and greatly depends on carbon. They get these carbons from the hosts that they live in. The carbon is actually found in glucose. The glucose is then broken down into a usable form for the bacteria, by its central metabolism. High ATP levels are also assuring for E. coli because it needs high energy for its metabolic rate. [11] Escherichia coli can react with the environment in diverse ways. It can react with things like temperatures, pH levels, and other things. It has amazing receptors that can tell it whether to swim towards something it should be, or to swim away from it. [12]
E. coli 0157:H7
This type of E. coli effects a persons intestinal tract. E. coli 0157:H7 can also effect other parts of your body if there is an outbreak. This bacterial infection is contagious, and can cause outbreaks within areas. These infections are seen more in the summer months. This outbreak can cause bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Sometimes a slight fever can occur. The symptoms of bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps can last about three to four days. There are two serious outcomes that can occur if you having this infection. A person could get HUS or TTP. [13] HUS stands for hemolytic-uremic syndrome. This can enter the blood stream and destroy important red blood cells. [14] TTP stands for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. TTP can cause kidney failure and neurologic abnormalities. [15]
Gallery of Lab E. coli
 Escherichia coli |
 Escherichia coli |
 Escherichia coli |
 Browse |
References
- Physics Today Howard Berg. American Institute of Physics.
- E. Coli- Reproduction Justine Moder. Copyright April 2008.
- WA State Department of Health Washington State Dept. of Health.
- Microbe Wiki MicrobeWiki.
- Who named it? Ole Daniel Enersen.
- The Microbial World Madison. University of Wisconsin.
- WI Dept. of Health Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
- Platelets on TTP-HUS James N. George.
- Interesting Facts Justine Moder.
- How Stuff Works Cyrus Badshah. Discovery Communications, LLC.
- Pathogenic E. Coli Kenneth Todar, PhD. Copyright 2008.
- E. coli in Hostile Environments Stoyana Alexandrova & Iliana Alexandrova.
See Also
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
