12 Questions
Which group of bacteria includes species that can cause opportunistic infections?
Gamma Proteobacteria
Which bacteria is responsible for causing syphilis?
Treponema pallidum
What is the term for the process by which mitochondria have evolved from aerobic alpha Proteobacteria?
Endosymbiosis
Which type of bacteria is characterized by a spiral shape?
Spirochetes
What is the term for the normal intestine flora that can cause opportunistic infections?
Escherichia coli
Which bacteria causes cholera, a disease characterized by prolonged diarrhea?
Vibrio cholerae
Which bacteria is responsible for causing Botulism?
Clostridium botulinum
What is the primary way that Tetanus enters the body?
Through a break in the skin
What is the name of the vaccine that protects against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis?
DTP vaccine
What is the primary symptom of Pneumococcal meningitis?
Inflammation of the meninges
Which bacteria causes Leprosy?
Mycobacterium leprae
What is the name of the toxin produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae?
Diphtheria toxin
Study Notes
Major Groups of Bacteria
- Bacteria are divided into several phyla, including Proteobacteria, Chlamydia, Spirochetes, Gram+ bacteria, and Cyanobacteria.
Proteobacteria
- Alpha Proteobacteria: many species have eukaryotic hosts through symbiosis; mitochondria evolved from aerobic alpha proteobacteria through endosymbiosis.
- Beta Proteobacteria:
- Pathogenic species include Neisseria meningitidis (causes meningococcal meningitis), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (causes gonococcal urethritis), and Bordetella pertussis (causes whooping cough).
- Gamma Proteobacteria:
- Opportunistic pathogens, normally non-pathogenic but can cause infections in certain circumstances (immunosuppressed).
- Examples include Escherichia coli, which is part of normal intestine flora but can cause opportunistic infections, and is used in gene cloning.
- Pathogenic species include Vibrio cholerae (causes cholera), Legionella, and Salmonella.
- Epsilon Proteobacteria:
- Many species are pathogens, including Campylobacter (causes food poisoning) and Helicobacter pylori (causes stomach ulcers, gastric cancer, and gastritis).
Chlamydia
- Chlamydia trachomatis causes non-gonococcal urethritis (STD).
Spirochetes
- Treponema pallidum causes syphilis (STD).
- Borrelia burgdorferi causes Lyme disease (Borreliose).
- Leptospira causes Leptospirosis.
Gram+ Bacteria
- Actinomycetes can cause Actinomycoses (skin infection).
- Bacillus anthracis causes Anthrax.
- Bacillus cereus causes Gastroenteritis.
- Corynebacterium diphtheriae causes Diphtheria, which can lead to upper respiratory tract infection and tissue damage due to inhibition of protein synthesis by diphtheria toxin.
- Clostridium botulinum causes botulism, which can be fatal due to respiratory muscle failure.
- Clostridium tetani causes Tetanus, which leads to muscle spasms and paralysis due to toxin production.
- Staphylococcus aureus causes toxic shock syndrome, food poisoning (gastroenteritis), and pneumonia.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae causes Pneumococcal meningitis.
- Mycobacteria:
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes Tuberculosis, a chronic cough with blood-containing sputum.
- Mycobacterium leprae causes Leprosy.
- Mycoplasma:
- Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum cause Non-gonococcal urethritis (STD).
Vaccines
- DTP vaccine is an anti-bacterial vaccine that protects against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis.
Test your knowledge of major groups of bacteria, including Proteobacteria, Chlamydia, Spirochetes, and Gram+ bacteria. Learn about the characteristics and examples of each phylum, as well as their relationships with eukaryotic hosts. Discover the endosymbiotic theory and its significance in understanding the evolution of mitochondria.
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