A Mutual Attraction

Prepared by: Reo Paolo M. Uri

               

                A tremendous variety of mutualistic partnership occurs in nature. These Associations gradually evolve a reciprocal life as participating members come to require some substances or habitat that the other members provide. They will not survive when associated from this association.

                 

                 Protozoan cells often receive growth factors from symbiotic bacteria and algae that are mutually nurtured by the protozoan cell. One peculiar ciliate propels itself by affixing symbiotic bacteria to its cell membrane to act as “oars”. Other ciliates and amoebas require specialized bacteria or algae inside their cells to provide nutrients. This kind of relationship or specially striking in the complex nutrients. This kind of relationship is especially striking in the complex mutualism of termites, which harbor protozoans specialized to live only inside their intestine. The protozoans, in turn, contain endosymbiotic bacterial. Wood ingested by the termite gets precede by the protozoan and bacteria enzymes, and all three organisms thrive on the nutrients that the digested wood provides.

Mutualism between Microbes and Animals

                Microorganisms carry on mutual symbiotic relationship with animals as diverse as sponges, worms, and mammals. Bacteria and protozoans are essential in the operation of the rumen (a complex, four-chambered stomach) of cud-chewing mammals. These mammals produce no enzymes of their rumen do. The complex food materials are digested through reversal stages, during which time the animal regurgitates and chews the partially digested plant matter (the cud) and occasionally burps methane produced by the microbial symbiotis.

Thermal vent symbionts

             

               Another fascinating relationship has been found in the deep hydrothermal vents in the seafloor, where geologic forces spread the crustal plates and release heat and gas. These vents are a focus of tremendous biological and geologic activity. The source of energy in this community is not the sun, because the vents are too deep for light to penetrate (2600m). Instead, this ecosystem is based on a massive chemoautrotrophic bacterial population that oxidizes the abundant hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas given off by the volcanic activity there. As the bottom of the food web, these bacteria serve as the primary produces of nutrients that services abroad spectrum of specialized animals.

How are these mutualistic relationships different from synergistic ones?

Answer available at http://www.mhhe.com/talaro7

A Mutual Attraction

Prepared by: Reo Paolo M. Uri

               

                A tremendous variety of mutualistic partnership occurs in nature. These Associations gradually evolve a reciprocal life as participating members come to require some substances or habitat that the other members provide. They will not survive when associated from this association.

                 

                 Protozoan cells often receive growth factors from symbiotic bacteria and algae that are mutually nurtured by the protozoan cell. One peculiar ciliate propels itself by affixing symbiotic bacteria to its cell membrane to act as “oars”. Other ciliates and amoebas require specialized bacteria or algae inside their cells to provide nutrients. This kind of relationship or specially striking in the complex nutrients. This kind of relationship is especially striking in the complex mutualism of termites, which harbor protozoans specialized to live only inside their intestine. The protozoans, in turn, contain endosymbiotic bacterial. Wood ingested by the termite gets precede by the protozoan and bacteria enzymes, and all three organisms thrive on the nutrients that the digested wood provides.

Mutualism between Microbes and Animals

                Microorganisms carry on mutual symbiotic relationship with animals as diverse as sponges, worms, and mammals. Bacteria and protozoans are essential in the operation of the rumen (a complex, four-chambered stomach) of cud-chewing mammals. These mammals produce no enzymes of their rumen do. The complex food materials are digested through reversal stages, during which time the animal regurgitates and chews the partially digested plant matter (the cud) and occasionally burps methane produced by the microbial symbiotis.

Thermal vent symbionts

             

               Another fascinating relationship has been found in the deep hydrothermal vents in the seafloor, where geologic forces spread the crustal plates and release heat and gas. These vents are a focus of tremendous biological and geologic activity. The source of energy in this community is not the sun, because the vents are too deep for light to penetrate (2600m). Instead, this ecosystem is based on a massive chemoautrotrophic bacterial population that oxidizes the abundant hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas given off by the volcanic activity there. As the bottom of the food web, these bacteria serve as the primary produces of nutrients that services abroad spectrum of specialized animals.

How are these mutualistic relationships different from synergistic ones?

Answer available at http://www.mhhe.com/talaro7