What is the most interesting bacteria ever!!!?

Question

I have to write a paper about a bacteria of my choice. We have to discuss the environment it lives in and how it is adapted to live there. Examples our professor has given....marine bacteria (what makes them able to live there while other bacteria cant?) bacteria that live in mud flats in Yellowstone, etc. I want to use something unique that most people don't think of. So what are some environments that bacteria can live in that are unusual.
PS We can't write about bacteria in the human body.

Answer 1

I would opt for a very nifty bacteria called Vibrio fischeri. It's a marine bacterium that alternates between living inside of squid and in the ocean. Every night, certain species of squid ingest huge amounts of these bacteria and accumulate them in their modified gut. The bacteria release a number of proteins into the gut which allow them to "sense" how many other bacteria there are around them; this process is called "quorum sensing," and it's literally one of the coolest things that bacteria do. Once the bacteria have "sensed" that they've reached a high enough number, they turn on transcription of a gene which produces a protein that luminesces (i.e. glows in the dark). This, in turn, makes the squid glow! This bioluminescence makes the squid difficult to see by predators who are looking at it from below because the squid blends in with the moonlight. In return, the squid provides the bacteria with a safe environment and lots of nutrients.



This type of mutual relationship is called "symbiosis" and it's very common in nature. Vibrio fischeri is extremely popular in the scientific world because it's where quorum sensing was first identified so there is TONS of information about it (both in journal articles and on the web). However, most people have never heard of this organism, so it's unlikely that anyone else will pick it.



What could be cooler than bacteria that can talk to one another and glow? I can't think of any! (especially if you can't pick human pathogens)



Hope your project goes well!

Answer 2

Mount everest is not the tallest mountain, but the one that reaches the highest on the globe. The tallest mountain is under the ocean, with only the top little tip above. With that in mind, isn't it scary how deep it is? Deeper than mount everest. Oh and have you heard this knock knock joke? Knock knock Who's there I eat mop I eat mop who (the person has just said " I eat my poo"

Answer 3

Google "largest prokaryote"