Bacteria Profiles DIVERSITY AND SUCCESS OF PROKARYOTES

 Scientific name: Streptomyces coelicolor  Common name: None  Location: Dirt  Summary: This gram positive bacteria lives in dirt and produces a chemical called geosmin when it is dying. In wet soil, it can’t breath so it suffocates. The smell of ‘dirt’ is actually dying and dead S. Coelicolor. BACTERIA PROFILE #1

 Scientific Name: Escherichia Coli  Common Name: E. Coli  Location: Human Gut  Summary: E. Coli is a gram negative bacterium found in the lower guts of all warm blooded organisms. E. coli helps humans by producing Vitamin K and prevents pathogenic bacteria from inhabiting the gut. E. coli can cause food poisoning if it contaminates the food we eat. Wash your hands after you use the bathroom! BACTERIA PROFILE #2

 Scientific Name: Staphylococcus aureus  Common Name: MRSA (pronounced: “Mersa”)  Location: Skin  Summary: This bacteria is one that naturally lives on the skin of humans. However, infection usually begins at the site of injury such as surgery wound, cut, or scratch. The bacteria releases a toxin causing the skin tissue to die resulting in a disease called necrotizing fasciitis. This disease is often called “flesh eating” bacterial infection. BACTERIA PROFILE #3

 Scientific name: Clostridium botulinum  Common name: None  Location: soil, improperly made foods  Summary: C. botulinum is a bacteria that makes a toxin when it is in an environment with no oxygen (canned foods). When ingested, this toxin can cause food poisoning or even death! One 8 ounce cup of the toxin would wipe out the entire population of humans on Earth! The toxin is a neurotoxin which affects nervous tissues causing paralysis which leads to respiratory failure and death. BACTERIA PROFILE #4

 Scientific Name: Vibrio fischeri  Common Name: None  Location: Marine environments  Summary: Squid ingest these bacteria when they eat at night. The bacteria then produce a protein that luminesces (glows in the dark!) causing the squid to glow. This makes the squid difficult to see by predators from below because it blends in the moonlight. BACTERIA PROFILE #5

 Scientific name: thiomargarita namibiensis  Common name: giant sulfur bacteria  Location: sediments along west coast of Africa  Summary: This bacteria is the largest prokaryotic discovered so far. It’s scientific name translates into “suflur pearl from Namibia”. It can reach a diameter of 0.75 mm but most bacteria are an average of μ m (micrometers). BACTERIA PROFILE #6