Prosthecate bacteria

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Prosthecate bacteria are a non-phylogenetically related group of Gram-negative bacteria that possess appendages, termed prosthecae. These cellular appendages are neither pili nor flagella, as they are extensions of the cellular membrane and contain cytosol.[1] One notable group of prosthecates is the genus Caulobacter.

Contents

[edit] Metabolism

Prosthecates are generally chemoorganotrophic aerobes that can grow in nutrient-poor habitats, being able to survive at nutrient levels on the order of parts-per-million - for which reason they are often found in aquatic habitats. These bacteria will attach to surfaces with their prosthecae, allowing a greater surface area with which to take up nutrients (and release waste products).[1] Some prosthecates will grow in nutrient-poor soils as aerobic heterotrophs.

[edit] See also

Caulobacter
Oligotrophic
Flagella
Pilus

[edit] External links

Poindexter, Jeanne S. Dimorphic Prosthecate Bacteria: The Genera Caulobacter, Asticcacaulis, Hyphomicrobium, Pedomicrobium, Hyphomonas and Thiodendron.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Madigan, Michael T., Martinko, John M. (2006). Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 11th ed., Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-196893-9. 
 This bacteria-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.