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Related Concept Videos

Microbial Morphologies01:29

Microbial Morphologies

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Bacterial and archaeal cells exhibit remarkable diversity in shape and structure, critical in their adaptability and functionality. Among bacteria, the most commonly observed shapes include cocci and bacilli. Cocci are spherical and may exist singly or in groupings such as pairs (diplococci), chains (streptococci), clusters (staphylococci), or tetrads. Bacilli, in contrast, are rod-shaped and can also occur as single cells, in pairs, or chains, depending on their environmental and genetic...
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Cells pull particles inward and engulf them in spherical vesicles in an energy-requiring process called endocytosis. Phagocytosis (“cellular eating”) is one of three major types of endocytosis. Cells use phagocytosis to take in large objects—such as other cells (or their debris), bacteria, and even viruses.
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Cells pull particles inward and engulf them in spherical vesicles in an energy-requiring process called endocytosis. Phagocytosis ("cellular eating") is one of three major types of endocytosis. Cells use phagocytosis to take in large objects, such as other cells (or their debris), bacteria, and even viruses.
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In contrast to the lytic cycle, phages infecting bacteria via the lysogenic cycle do not immediately kill their host cell. Instead, they combine their genome with the host genome, allowing the bacteria to replicate the phage DNA along with the bacterial genome. The incorporated copy of the phage genome is called the prophage. Some prophages can re-activate and enter the lytic cycle. This often occurs in response to a perturbation, such as DNA damage, but can also transpire in the absence of...
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Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are specialized viruses that infect bacteria. A key characteristic of phages is their distinctive “head-tail” morphology. A phage begins the infection process (i.e., lytic cycle) by attaching to the outside of a bacterial cell. Attachment is accomplished via proteins in the phage tail that bind to specific receptor proteins on the outer surface of the bacterium. The tail injects the phage’s DNA genome into the bacterial cytoplasm. In the...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 21, 2025

"Phagosome Closure Assay" to Visualize Phagosome Formation in Three Dimensions Using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescent Microscopy TIRFM
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Phagocytosis in a Shape-shifting Bacterium.

Lucie Gallot-Lavallée1, John M Archibald1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H4R2.

Trends in Microbiology
|May 13, 2020
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Summary

Phagocytosis, the process of cell ingestion, was previously thought to be exclusive to eukaryotes. However, new research reveals phagocytosis occurring in a planctomycete bacterium, challenging this long-held scientific belief.

Keywords:
bacteriaphagocytosisplanctomycetes

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Phagocytosis, the engulfment of external particles by a cell, is a fundamental biological process.
  • This process has traditionally been considered a hallmark exclusive to eukaryotic organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the occurrence of phagocytosis in prokaryotic organisms.
  • To explore the implications of phagocytosis in bacteria, specifically planctomycetes.

Main Methods:

  • Microscopic observation of planctomycete bacteria.
  • Analysis of cellular structures and processes involved in particle uptake.

Main Results:

  • Discovery of a bacterium, belonging to the planctomycete group, exhibiting phagocytosis.
  • Evidence suggests planctomycetes actively engulf external particles.

Conclusions:

  • Phagocytosis is not exclusive to eukaryotes and exists in prokaryotes.
  • The discovery of bacterial phagocytosis broadens our understanding of phagotrophy's evolutionary significance.