Streptococcus pneumoniae: Difference between revisions
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==Description and significance== | ==Description and significance== | ||
Streptococcus pneumoniae, also called pneumococcus, is a gram-positive, pathogenic bacterium capable of causing numerous infections. It the most common cause of pneumonia and bacterial meningitis, and is commonly found in the upper respiratory tract of humans. S. pneumoniae is shaped like a lancet, a type of knife with a short wide two-edged blade. It is alpha hemolytic (a classification method using the breakdown of red blood cells) and is usually between 0.5 and 1.25 micrometers in size. | |||
S. pneumoniae was first isolated in 1881 simultaneously by U.S. Army physician George Sternberg and French chemist Louis Pasteur. In 1928 by Frederick Griffith and 1944 by Avery, MacLeod and McCarty, S. pneumoniae was used to prove that genetic material consists of DNA. | |||
==Genome structure== | ==Genome structure== | ||
Revision as of 20:12, 1 April 2008
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Classification
Higher order taxa
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Firmicutes
Class: Diplococci
Order: Lactobacillales
Family: Streptococcaceae
Genus: Streptococcus
Species
Species: S. pneumoniae
Description and significance
Streptococcus pneumoniae, also called pneumococcus, is a gram-positive, pathogenic bacterium capable of causing numerous infections. It the most common cause of pneumonia and bacterial meningitis, and is commonly found in the upper respiratory tract of humans. S. pneumoniae is shaped like a lancet, a type of knife with a short wide two-edged blade. It is alpha hemolytic (a classification method using the breakdown of red blood cells) and is usually between 0.5 and 1.25 micrometers in size.
S. pneumoniae was first isolated in 1881 simultaneously by U.S. Army physician George Sternberg and French chemist Louis Pasteur. In 1928 by Frederick Griffith and 1944 by Avery, MacLeod and McCarty, S. pneumoniae was used to prove that genetic material consists of DNA.
Genome structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
Cell structure and metabolism
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Application to Biotechnology
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
References