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QUESTION
Discussion Question(s)
Review the module resources and read the scenario to answer the discussion questions.
It is the Year 2056 and the first manned crew to land on Mars returned home after a 15-month round trip including 4 weeks living on Mars. Among their discoveries was a novel bacterium that showed potential in consuming all kinds of plastic which could help eliminate the harmful impact plastic disposal has on Earth’s ecosystem. After careful testing and engineering, the bacterium was viewed as a viable and cost-efficient means of plastic pollution control and fully utilized by the waste disposal industry.
Fifty years later, an epidemic ravaged the world in which a variant of this bacterium was discovered to be the cause. Most common symptoms included dysentery, fever, and general malaise; however, twenty percent of the general population developed severe rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition that breaks down muscle.
You are part of a group of representatives from the CDC fielding questions in a special Congressional hearing. One Senator looks at you and asks, “How can a plastic-eating bacteria turn into a muscle-eating bacteria? Why are only humans being affected?”
Answer the Senator’s questions.
- How can a plastic-eating bacteria turn into a muscle-eating bacteria?
- Why are only humans being affected?
- Use your imagination to develop a plausible scenario using the microbial genetics you have learned this week. Make sure you can explain and justify your reasoning.
Directions:
Discussion question must contain at least one professional reference (may be the course textbook) properly cited in the current APA format.
- All questions/prompts in the discussion question should be addressed.
All replies in the discussion forum should be related to the topics and enhance the discussion
READINGS
Read the Biochemistry of the Genome chapter in your OpenStax textbook by Parker, N., Schneegurt, M., Thi Tu, A., Lister, P., & Forster B. (2016) Microbiology. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/details/books/microbiology
Videos
Read the Mechanisms of Microbial Genetics chapter in your OpenStax textbook by Parker, N., Schneegurt, M., Thi Tu, A., Lister, P., & Forster B. (2016) Microbiology. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/details/books/microbiology
Videos
Read the Modern Application of Microbial Genetics chapter in your OpenStax textbook by Parker, N., Schneegurt, M., Thi Tu, A., Lister, P., & Forster B. (2016) Microbiology. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/details/books/microbiology
Videos
ANSWER
The Evolution of a Bacterium: From Plastic-Eating to Muscle-Eating
Introduction
In the Year 2056, a manned crew discovered a novel bacterium on Mars with the ability to consume plastic, offering a potential solution to Earth’s plastic pollution problem. The bacterium was later adopted by the waste disposal industry for its cost-efficient plastic control. However, fifty years later, a variant of this bacterium caused a devastating epidemic, affecting humans with severe muscle-related symptoms. As representatives from the CDC, we will address the Senator’s questions regarding how a plastic-eating bacterium could evolve into a muscle-eating bacterium and why only humans are being affected.
How can a plastic-eating bacterium turn into a muscle-eating bacterium?
Microbial genetics provides insights into the mechanisms by which bacteria can evolve and adapt to new environments. In the case of the plastic-eating bacterium, several factors could lead to its transformation into a muscle-eating bacterium:
Mutations: Bacteria have a high rate of mutation due to their rapid reproduction and short generation times. Over time, mutations in the bacterium’s genetic material could result in changes to its metabolic pathways and enzyme production. A mutation could occur that enables the bacterium to metabolize muscle tissue components as a new energy source.
Horizontal Gene Transfer: Bacteria have the capability of horizontal gene transfer, wherein they can exchange genetic material with other bacteria. In a mixed microbial environment, the plastic-eating bacterium might have acquired genes from other bacteria that code for enzymes capable of breaking down muscle tissues.
Selective Pressure: The waste disposal industry’s widespread use of the plastic-eating bacterium likely exerted selective pressure on the bacterial population. In the presence of plastic waste, bacteria with an advantage in plastic consumption would thrive. However, if these plastic-eating bacteria encountered muscle tissues, any mutants with the ability to break down muscle would have a selective advantage, leading to the evolution of muscle-eating capability.
Why are only humans being affected?
The selective toxicity of the muscle-eating variant may be attributed to specific interactions between the bacterium and human cells:
Receptor Specificity: The bacterium may possess specific receptors that bind selectively to human cell components, initiating the process of muscle tissue degradation. This receptor specificity would explain why only human cells are targeted by the bacterium.
Metabolic Compatibility: The variant may have evolved enzymes or metabolic pathways that are particularly effective at breaking down human muscle tissues, making it uniquely harmful to humans.
Immune Response: Humans’ immune responses to this specific variant might differ from other organisms, rendering them more susceptible to severe rhabdomyolysis.
Conclusion
The evolution of a plastic-eating bacterium into a muscle-eating variant can be attributed to genetic mutations, horizontal gene transfer, and selective pressure. Bacteria’s ability to adapt and evolve in response to environmental changes is a testament to their resilience. The selective toxicity of the muscle-eating variant to humans might be due to specific interactions and metabolic compatibility between the bacterium and human cells. As researchers and scientists, it is essential to continue studying microbial genetics to understand and predict the potential risks and benefits of novel bacteria discovered in the future.
