MGY377H1 Midterm: Study notes for midterm

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Bacteria produce and can detect small freely diffusible signal molecules autoinducers. Method of determining how many bacteria exist in environment called quorum sensing. When enough bacteria present, autoinducer concentration sufficient. Regulatory proteins bind the signal molecule and activate transcription directly or indirectly. Allows bacteria to switch between two distinct gene expression programs. One is favoured at low-cell density for individual, asocial behaviours. Another is favoured at high-cell-density for social, group behaviours. Many important functions biofilm formation, virulence gene expression, sporulation, motility, mating. Bacteria make light in specialized organs of fish and squid. Bacteria make light only in light organ symbiotic relationship with host. Autoinducers of gram-negative bacteria are small organic compounds. Autoinducers of gram-positive bacteria are typically derived from peptides. Autoinducers can diffuse freely across membranes in some cases or may be actively transported. Luxr molecules bind autoinducer specific to own species.

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