BIOL113 module 2- lecture 4

Bobtail squid

in a symbiotic relationship with bioluminescent bacteria, causing it to emit light at night.

autoinducer

a signalling molecule produced by bacteria that allows them to communicate and coordinate their activities

Quorum sensing

detect population density based on when a threshold concentration of autoinducers is reached, causing bacteria to alter their gene expression

Diffusion sensing

bacteria use the rate of diffusion of secreted molecules to regulate their own behavior, based on success of secreted molecules reaching targets

processes regulated by quorum/diffusion sensing

• production of antibiotics by fungi and bacteria

• virulence factors (from pathogens)

• metabolic activity

• bioluminescence

what is the tundra microbiome

layers of frozen biomatter, takes up 20% of earths surface

contains 50% of the worlds soil organic carbon storage

Why is the tundra microbiome a significant factor in climate change?

because as it melts, decomposition of carbon in the tundra soil occurs. This will create a positive feedback loop, increasing gasses that will in turn increase global warming.