prosthecate bacteria
{{Short description|Bacteria with prosthecae}}
Prosthecate bacteria are a non-phylogenetically related group of Gram-negative bacteria that possess appendages, termed prosthecae. These cellular appendages, also known as stalks, are neither pili nor flagella, as they are extensions of the cellular membrane and contain cytosol.{{cite book | author = Madigan, Michael T., Martinko, John M. | title = Brock Biology of Microorganisms | edition = 11th | publisher = Pearson Prentice Hall | year = 2006 | isbn = 0-13-196893-9 }} One notable group of prosthecates is the genus Caulobacter.
Function of prostheca
Prosthecates are generally chemoorganotrophic aerobes that can grow in nutrient-poor habitats, being able to survive at nutrient levels on the order of parts-per-million for which reason they are often found in aquatic habitats. These bacteria will attach to surfaces with their prosthecae, allowing a greater surface area with which to take up nutrients (and release waste products).{{Cite journal|last=McAdams|first=Harley H.|date=2006-08-01|title=Bacterial stalks are nutrient-scavenging antennas|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|language=en|volume=103|issue=31|pages=11435–11436|doi=10.1073/pnas.0605027103|issn=0027-8424|pmc=1544186|pmid=16868078|bibcode=2006PNAS..10311435M|doi-access=free}} Some prosthecates will grow in nutrient-poor soils as aerobic heterotrophs.
See also
External links
Poindexter, Jeanne S. Dimorphic Prosthecate Bacteria: The Genera Caulobacter, Asticcacaulis, Hyphomicrobium, Pedomicrobium, Hyphomonas and Thiodendron.[https://doi.org/10.1007%2F0-387-30745-1_4]
References
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