Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Adaptation at the Extremes of Life: Experimental Evolution with the Extremophile Archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius
08:11

Adaptation at the Extremes of Life: Experimental Evolution with the Extremophile Archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

Published on: June 14, 2024

[Ability of opportunistic enterobacteria to adapt to different temperatures]

Iu A Markova, L A Belovezhets, I Iu Barov

    Zhurnal Mikrobiologii, Epidemiologii I Immunobiologii
    |May 23, 2009
    PubMed
    Abstract

    Insights

    Opportunistic enterobacteria exhibit adaptable enzymatic activity, producing plant growth regulators influenced by temperature. Lower temperatures increase cellulase activity, aiding survival in soil environments.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Environmental Science
    • Plant Science

    Background:

    • Opportunistic enterobacteria, including Morganella morganii, Citrobacter freundii, and Proteus mirabilis, are frequently isolated from clinical settings.
    • Understanding their physiological adaptations is crucial for managing infections and their environmental impact.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the variability in the enzymatic apparatus of opportunistic enterobacteria.
    • To determine the influence of cultivation temperature on enzyme activity and plant growth regulator production.

    Main Methods:

    • Clinical strains of Morganella morganii, Citrobacter freundii, and Proteus mirabilis were utilized.
    • Enzymatic activity (cellulase, lipase) and plant growth regulators (auxins, gibberellins) were quantified at varying temperatures.

    Main Results:

    • All studied enterobacteria species produced plant growth regulators, with amounts varying by temperature and bacterial type.
    • Cellulase activity significantly increased as cultivation temperature decreased.
    • The production of auxins and gibberellins was also temperature-dependent.

    Conclusions:

    • Opportunistic bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family demonstrate significant adaptive potential.
    • A shift to saprophytic mechanisms at lower temperatures enables survival in soil and interaction with soil biota, including plants.

    More Related Videos

    A New Screening Method for the Directed Evolution of Thermostable Bacteriolytic Enzymes13:30

    A New Screening Method for the Directed Evolution of Thermostable Bacteriolytic Enzymes

    Published on: November 7, 2012

    Strategies to Enhance Cultivation of Anaerobic Bacteria from Gastrointestinal Tract of Chicken04:36

    Strategies to Enhance Cultivation of Anaerobic Bacteria from Gastrointestinal Tract of Chicken

    Published on: May 10, 2024

    Related Concept Videos

    Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature01:27

    Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature

    Microorganisms display remarkable adaptations, enabling them to thrive in diverse ecological niches across a wide range of temperatures. Temperature profoundly influences microbial growth by affecting enzymatic activity, membrane fluidity, and other cellular processes.Each microorganism operates within a specific temperature range defined by three cardinal points: minimum, optimum, and maximum. Below the minimum temperature, membranes lose fluidity, halting transport processes. Above the...
    Diversity of Archaea IV01:29

    Diversity of Archaea IV

    Hyperthermophilic archaea are a group of extremophiles thriving at temperatures above 80°C, often in hydrothermal vents and volcanic soils where conditions surpass the boiling point of water. At such temperatures, proteins, membranes, and DNA in most organisms degrade, but hyperthermophiles have evolved remarkable adaptations to maintain stability and function.Unique Cellular FeaturesHyperthermophilic membranes are composed of a monolayer of biphytanyl tetraether lipids, which resist thermal...
    Hyperthermophilic Bacteria01:21

    Hyperthermophilic Bacteria

    Domain Bacteria includes some unique hyperthermophilic species. They exhibit remarkable adaptations that enable survival in extreme environments.Thermotoga species are rod-shaped, gram-negative, non-sporulating hyperthermophiles that form a sheath-like envelope called a toga. They ferment sugars or starch, producing lactate, acetate, CO₂, and H₂, and can also grow via anaerobic respiration using H₂ and ferric iron. Found in hot springs and hydrothermal vents, over 20% of their genes show strong...
    Diversity of Archaea III01:27

    Diversity of Archaea III

    Crenarchaeota, a prominent phylum of Archaea, is remarkable for its ability to thrive in extreme environments characterized by high temperatures and acidity. These microorganisms inhabit sulfuric hot springs, volcanic systems, and submarine hydrothermal vents, where temperatures often exceed 100°C. The unique adaptations of Crenarchaeota not only allow survival under such extreme conditions but also provide insights into the mechanisms of life in primordial Earth-like environments.Morphological...
    Diversity of Archaea I01:30

    Diversity of Archaea I

    Archaea, a domain of single-celled microorganisms, are classified into five major phyla based on genetic and biochemical characteristics: Euryarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, Thaumarchaeota, Korarchaeota, and Nanoarchaeota. Among these, the phylum Euryarchaeota is notable for its remarkable diversity in morphology, metabolism, and ecological adaptations.Morphological and Metabolic DiversityMembers of Euryarchaeota exhibit a variety of cellular shapes, including rods and cocci. Their metabolic pathways...
    Antibiotic Selection00:57

    Antibiotic Selection

    Overview