PRESCOTT'S MICROBIOLOGY (LL)
PRESCOTT'S MICROBIOLOGY (LL)
10th Edition
ISBN: 9781260203110
Author: WILLEY
Publisher: MCG
bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 21, Problem 1CHI

The cyanobacterium Anabaena grows well in liquid medium that contains nitrate as the sole nitrogen source. Suppose you transfer some of these filaments to the same medium except it lacks nitrate. Describe the morphological and physiological changes you would observe.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

Anabaena lives as plankton. It is a genus that belongs to the filamentous cyanobacteria. They are well known for their nitrogen-fixing ability. They are seen in symbiotic association with some plants. These bacteria form a specialized structure known as heterocysts.

Explanation of Solution

Colonies of Anabaena grow as multi-cell chains. All the cells appear cylindrical otherwise barrel-shaped. The cells that are seen at the end of the chain are much longer when compared with others. When Anabaena that has been grown in the liquid medium with nitrate is transferred into the same medium lacking nitrate will show certain morphological as well as physiological changes. They are generation or formation of heterocysts that are able to fix nitrogen. Under nitrogen limiting conditions, the vegetative cells will be transformed into a heterocyst.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
you grew streak plates of Clostridium sporogenes under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Which plates showed bacterial growth, and what does the zone around the metronidazole disc represent? Additionally, explain what types of bacterial growth metronidazole affects and why.
What is the role of oxygen in aerobic respiration? What type(s) of metabolism can occur in the absence of oxygen? Name two enzymes that are present in obligate aerobes but lacking in obligate anaerobes. What is the function of each enzyme Describe the difference between the appearance of surface and subsurface colonies in a pour plate. If this is the same bacterial species, why do these differences in colonial growth occur?
Clostridium tetani is a common soil bacterium and causes tetanus. Would you expect C. tetani to possess the enzyme catalase? Explain.
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Biology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (Mi...
Biology
ISBN:9781305117396
Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Parasites: Protozoa (classification, structure, life cycle); Author: ATP;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4iSB0_7opM;License: Standard youtube license