Sie sind auf Seite 1von 21

MICROBIOLOGY & PARASITOLOGY

Raymund Christopher R. dela Pea, RN, RM, MAN

Binary Fission

PHYSIOLOGY OF BACTERIA
Physiology is study of the functions and vital processes of living organisms. Areas of interest include: bacterial reproduction methods, bacterial colonies, conditions affecting bacterial growth, and bacterial associations.

A. Reproduction B. Bacterial Colony - Sometimes biologists refer to groups of bacterial cells as colonies. A bacterial colony is the population of bacteria, growing on a medium, that results from one cell.

C. Conditions Affecting Bacterial Growth - Not all bacterial colonies grow at the same rate. Factors controlling the growth rate include: 1. Food - Organisms require food for building cell components and proteins. In addition, food supplies the necessary energy for cell survival. Microbial activity is limited when food supplies become exhausted. The amount and type of food available will have an impact on the type of organisms that survive and the rate at which they grow.

a. Organism Classification According to Food Supply: (1). Autotrophic bacteria thrive in areas where organic matter is scarce. Autotrophic bacteria are "self-nourishing," meaning they are capable of surviving in the absence of organic compounds. Instead of relying on organic compound as a source of carbon, these organisms use carbon dioxide (inorganic compound). The carbon is used to build essential cell materials. Other inorganic compounds, such as ammonia, dihydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and iron containing compounds, provide essential elements to autotrophic organisms, as well. Algae and some bacteria are autotrophic.

(2). Heterotrophic organisms use organic matter for energy and the synthesis of cell materials. Most bacteria are heterotrophic. Heterotrophic bacteria are categorized according to the type of organic material upon which they feed. (a). Strict (obligate) saprophytes are heterotrophic bacteria that obtain nutritional need from non-living sources. Examples include: (aa). Clostridium Tetani - (responsible for lock jaw) proliferates on dead tissue. (bb). The causative agent for the food poisoning known as botulism.

(b). Strict (obligate) parasites are heterotophic bacteria that only grow on other living organisms. Most pathogenic bacteria tend to be of this type. Staph and strept infections are caused by this type of organism. (c). Facultative bacteria are those heterotrophs that live and adapt in food conditions that may vary. Sometimes they feed on dead tissue, at other times they feed on living tissue.

2. Moisture Requirements Vegetative cell maintenance and growth requires water. Food and waste are transported through the cell wall in water solutions. In addition, water is a building material necessary in cell synthesis. Finally, the necessary element of dioxygen is derived from water.

3. Oxygen Requirements - Many forms of bacteria require the presence of oxygen. Bacteria are often categorize according to their oxygen need (some bacteria require it and some do not). a. Strict (obligate) aerobes are bacteria that only grow in the presence of oxygen. Micrococcus lutea is an example of such an organism.

b. Strict (obligate) anaerobes are bacteria that require a total absence of oxygen. Clostridium sporogenes is an example of this organism.

c. Facultative bacteria are those growing in the absence or presence of oxygen. Without the presence of oxygen these bacteria rely on dioxygen derived from fermentation or anaerobic glycolysis. In the presence of oxygen, the same bacteria may rely on the surrounding atmosphere as a source of dioxygen for respiration. Escherichia coli (E. Coli) is a facultative organism requiring only a small amount of dioxygen for growth but may die when in the presence of excess dioxygen.

d. Microaerophillic organisms require very little free oxygen to maintain growth.

4. Temperature Requirements - As a rule, temperature is the most important factor affecting the growth of microorganisms. Bacteria can grow within a range of temperatures.

a. Maximum temperature is the upper limit at which reproduction is possible. The rate of bacterial growth will decline when exposed to high temperature. Eventually, the bacteria will die if the temperature becomes too extreme. The maximum temperature will vary from one organism to another. Boiling at one hundred degrees centigrade for ten to fifteen minutes will kill bacilli and cocci. Pasteurization, however, will not kill all organisms. As a method of making dairy products safe for human consumption, pasteurization incorporates the use of heat at seventy-two degrees centigrade for fifteen minutes. This results in killing pathogenic organisms, such as streptococci, salmonella, and rickettsia. However, some nonpathogens , such as lactobacilli, are not killed.

b. Minimum temperature represents the lowest temperature at which growth occurs. At low temperatures, cell membranes lose their structural integrity, resulting in faulty transportation of nutrients through the cell wall. The growth rate of bacteria found in dead human remains becomes slow during refrigeration.

c. Optimum temperature is that which enzyme reactions occur efficiently and reproduction proceeds at a maximal rate. The optimum temperature is near the normal human body temperature (37 degrees centigrade) for many, but not all, bacteria. For example, E coli and the gonococcus require thirty five degrees centigrade as an optimum.

d. Classification Organisms may be classified according to their temperature requirements. This classification is based on an organism's temperature range.

(1). Psychrophiles are those organisms that prefer cold temperatures. Temperatures range from zero to twenty-five degrees centigrade. An optimum temperature appears to be around fifteen degrees centigrade. These organisms take part in the spoilage of refrigerated foods (e.g., milk).

(2). Mesophiles prefer a moderate temperature, usually on or about normal human body temperature. Temperatures range from twentyfive to forty degrees centigrade. Most pathogenic organisms are considered mesophiles.

(3). Thermophiles are organisms that prefer high temperatures. Their range begins around forty-five degrees centigrade and may exceed fifty-five degrees. Some spore forming bacteria require this temperature range.

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen