KATHERINE'S NOTES!

Classification:

1. Genus (group of organisms with similar characteristics different from other organisms) of filamentous bacteria of the family Streptomycetaceae

2. Aerobic bacteria (requires free oxygen)

3. Members of the bacterial order Actinomycetales

Gram Stain:

1.Gram-positive (meaning that that when it goes through the process of staining--violet dye applied, then decoloring agent, then red dye--it comes out violet)

Structure:

1. Very complex form

2. Form a threadlike net called a mycelium--carry spores for maturity

3. Branching strands (.5-1.0 micrometeres in length)

4. Resemble fungi in their branching filamentous structure

5. prokaryotic cells

6. Form branching filaments of cells which become a network of strands called a mycelium (CHANGE)

7. Streptomyces species produce spores from aerial filaments called sporophores. These rise above the colony and form spores called conidia by simple cross-wall divisions of the filament. You can see the refractile spores on the video. Note that this process is distinct from the formation of bacterial endospores. (CHANGE)

8. Info mainly from: http://www.microbiologybytes.com/video/Streptomyces.html

Habitat:

1. 500 species occurring in soil and water.

2. Usually only lives in soil, is what gives it earthy smell.

Nutritional Requirements:

1. oxygen

2. Streptomycetes are metabolically diverse and can "eat" almost anything, including sugars, alcohols, amino acids, organic acids, and aromatic compounds.

3.Produce extracellular hydrolytic enzymes (how that up there happens haha)

4. 26 degrees celsius-temp grows best at

Reproduction:

1. Asexual reproduction--branch off and form other filaments (form branching filaments of cells which become a network of strands called a mycelium, similar in appearance to the mycelium of some fungi) CHANGE

History:

1. Streptomycin was discovered by American biochemists Selman Waksman, Albert Schatz, and Elizabeth Bugie in 1943. (history of Streptomycin-antibiotic)

Beneficial Properties:

1. Decompose organic matter (in soil), helps with fertility of soil

2.Certain species are noted for the production of broad-spectrum antibiotics, chemicals that the bacteria naturally produce to kill or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms. (CHANGE-PASTED FROM BRIT)

3. Creates antibiotic streptomycin (It was the first antimicrobial agent developed after penicillin and the first antibiotic effective in treating tuberculosis. CHANGE-PASTED FROM BRIT)

-now many microorganisms immune to antibiotic due to overuse (durrr)

4. Over 50 different antibiotics have been isolated from Streptomycetes species, including streptomycin, neomycin, chloramphenicol and tetracyclines. (CHANGE)

Benefit to environment:

1. Up

Interesting Facts:

1. Synonym-Actinomyces griseus

2. Few species of Streptomyces are pathogenic for animals, although a few species cause plant diseases. (CHANGE)

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