In: Biology
For this discussion assignment, select a fungal, helminth, or parasitic species of your choice and prepare an initial post describing the optimal growth conditions, location, and unique characteristics which helps the microbe adapt to this niche. Include images if possible.
Is there any therapeutic application for this microbe in healthcare?
Please no picture or written responses - only typed answers
In this post, since one can choose between any of the three species, I will be choosing a fungal species to prepare the report. The species I am going to choose here is the Rhizopus microsporus which belongs to the genus Rhizopus. It is one of the most popular types of fungi that is known for its fungal-endosymbiont relationship. It is a fungal plant pathogen which is mostly seen infecting plants like maize, sunflower and rice. However, they are also used in the fermentation of many food items like soy.
Optimal Growth Conditions
In order for the fungus to grow, it requires optimum range of climatic conditions. It is a pathogenic fungus which is pre-dominant as pathogen of crops and hence it is found in wide range of environmental conditions. The growth of the fungi mostly takes place at neutral pH when it is one soil. The temperature range at which it grows in the environment ranges from 25 to 55°C with the optimum temperature being around 28°C.
Location
It is mostly a soil fungi and is pre-dominantly found growing on soil. However, it has also properties that make it feasible to grow on food items when an optimum condition is given or available. One of the primary host of the fungus is rice along with maize and sunflower.
Unique characteristics allowing microbe adaption
The fungus is known for its endosymbiont relation with bacteria known as Burkholderia rhizoxinica and this is known also to produce a drug which has anti-tumor properties called rhizoxin. The fungi is in endosymbiotic relation with bacteria which helps it to control the production of its toxins. It uses the bacteria and maintains the symbiotic relation even in order to get access to nutrition.