Module 10: host-microbe interactions

• almost all plants and animals have natural/commensal bacteria
• what is the function of primary symbionts?


  assimilation of major nutrients and provision of minor/essential nutrients
• what is the function of secondary symbiotic microbes?

  • protections from predators, parasites, environmental stress
  • role in reproduction, normal physiology, immune system
• bathymodiouls mussels use symbionts for assimilation of major nutrients
• what symbionts does bathmodioulus mussels have?

  sulphide and methane oxidizing bacteria fix CO2 for organism
• what symbionts are used in provision of essential nutrients?

  symbiotic microbes: surface of organism

  endosymbionts: within organism tissues
• primary endosymbionts in insects are obligate for insect and symbiont, found in specific organ or cells
• rumen: anaerobic fermentation vessel
• what product is produced in the rumen?

  short chain fatty acids used for food
• what product is released from the rumen?

  side reaction produces methane, significant community of methanogens
• termite paunch: anaerobic fermentation vessel
• what is the product of termite paunch?

  acetogens produce acetate that is absorbed
• what is the secondary product of termite paunch?

  methanogens produce methane that is released