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Not all micro-organisms are bad. Some actually protect
us from disease causing organisms. A recent article in ASM
News mentions that even some insects need bacteria to live. A bacterium,
Buchnera aphidicola, provides essential nutrients to
the garden aphid (Schizaphis graminum). If the bacterium is
eliminated from the aphid the aphid soon dies.
Recently, researchers have discovered why Buchnera aphidcola is so important. Aphids eat a very carbohydrate-rich sap from those plants we love and care for. Unfortunately, aphids don't get enough of the essential amino acid tryptophan (an amino acid necessary for life) from plant sap. Aphids are also unable to make their own tryptophan. The bacteria Buchnera aphidicola makes plenty of tryptophan. Buchnera aphidicola also needs the aphid to survive since it can not grow outside of the aphid's body. Bacteria that are unable to grow outside of another larger organism and are beneficial to the larger organism are called endosymbionts. The aphid has even provided a home for the bacterium, called a bacteriome. A bacteriome is a bilobed structure containing 60 to 80 bacteriocytes. Each bacteriocyte contains many many Buchnera aphidicola. So you can see that bacteria can have some good uses. That is, if you like aphids. Knowing that some aphids rely on these bacteria may result in new ways to eliminate aphids from our gardens - like treating the aphids with an antibiotic that kills Buchnera aphidicola. The plants would not be hurt by the antibiotic and you could avoid harmful pesticides. Just a thought. A crazy thought but a thought just the same. For more information on aphids you can go to one of our own Suite101.com editors Mark Whitelaw. Mark also mentions how to get rid of these nasty little garden pests. Take Care and Think Microbiologically! Go To Page: 1 |
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