Choose one single microbial organism (for example E. coli, flu virus but not limited to these two), which you think it’s interesting or important, look over the library, internet or textbook, to answer these questions in the order:
1. What’s the scientific name of this organism? Which genus, family, order, class, phylum and kingdom it belongs to? (>20 words, 15 points)
a. Clostridium difficile, also known as C. Difficile or C. Diff, is in the Clostridium genus, Clostridiaceae family, Clostridiales order, Clostridia class, Firmicutes phylum, and Eubacteria kingdom.
2. How big is its genome? How many genes estimated in its genome? Is there any special genetic feature(s) of this organism? (>50 words, 20 points)
a. The C. Diff core genome is estimated to be made up of 947-1,033 genes, but the pan genome is estimated to be made up of 9,640 genes. The size of this genome shows that C. Diff is rather large and especially wide. C. Diff has certain pathways that result in antibiotic resistance, making it hard to control once contracted. C. Diff is also heterotrophic, which is the capability of making its own food and also receives energy through fermentation. As stated, C. Diff is antibiotic resistant, which can be very detrimental to ones health due to the “extreme disease” it causes for it’s host.
3. How big is its physical size? How about its shape? Is there any special structural feature(s) of this organism? (>80 words, 20 points)
a. C. Diff is circular in shape. It is replicated and starts to “elongate” as it continues to replicate, creating two identical cells to that of the original cell. C. Diff can also exist in two different states. In the vegetative state, it uses the nutrients it receives to grow and divide. In the dormant state, which is under unfavorable conditions, it is coated by a “thick spore coat.” This coat protects against “radiation, drying, chemicals, and even oxygen.” Once the environmental states return to normal, C. Diff is able to divide into multiple cells once again.
4. Where does this organism usually live? Is there any relationship between this organism and any other organism(s)? (>80 words, 20 points)
a. C. Diff usually inhabits the intestines of humans. Healthy humans can carry a certain number of C. Diff in their intestines, but it is kept under control by the large amounts of other bacteria that is considered harmless to help aid in digestion. C. Diff inhabits in the human intestines due to the favorable temperature that is ideal for growth and replication. When diagnosing C. Diff, a dose of Clindamycin is usually administered to rue out normal gut flora and pseudomembranous.
5. Can this organism induce any illness in human or any other organisms? How does the illness develop? (>80 words, 20 points)
a. C. Diff can cause illness in humans by releasing toxins in the intestines and is becoming more common. Signs and symptoms of C. Diff include diarrhea, colitis, bleeding of the colon, abdominal pain, fever, pale appearance, and abdominal swelling. There are rare cases that result in abscesses and arthritis. Diarrhea is most comment and can be a recurring symptom in up to 40% of infected patients. Most patients develop the illness through community exposure or from a traditional health care center.
6. Where do you get the information? List the article, book, or website links as reference. (5 points)
a. http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/kumm_jakl/classification.htm
b. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0015147
c. http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/kumm_jakl/growth&adapt.htm
d. http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/infectious-disease/clostridium-difficile-infection/