Unlike humans that use their noses and eyes to sense where the food is, bacteria do not have these organs. However, they are able to sense and move to areas rich in nutients. A recent study by some researchers in the United Kingdom has demonstrated one way Helicobacter pylori senses were to find food. Basically, proteins on the surface of the bacteria can sense nutrients as the nutrients make contact with the bacteria. Then those proteins send a signal to the flagella to move to nutrient rich areas.
These researchers believe that if they could shut down this food sensing ability they could literally starve the bacteria to death. This may be a new way to eliminate this nasty stomach ulcer-causing bacterium.
To get more information on this bacterium go to the following:
The Helicobacter Foundation
Digestive
System Disorders information pamplet
Take Care and Think Microbiologically! For more microbiology articles go to Suite101:Microbiology.
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