Prokaryotes

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that prokaryotes, organisms that make up the microbial world, are deficient of internal unit membranes and are self-sufficient cells or organisms; the best-known prokaryotic organisms are the bacteria. The author states that cell-bound water is evaporated through air-drying, and subsequent addition of water to air-dried cells is the process through which the prokaryotes have been formed. This procedure of air-drying is called desiccation. The paper relates that the age-old belief of existence of life everywhere there is liquid water on earth, irrespective of physical conditions, has been negated by the desiccation tolerance in microbes.

From the Paper:

"Since they do not affect cellular structure and functions the solutes are said to be compatible. The molecules in them are similar to that of the compounds said earlier which stabilizes proteins by preferential exclusion. A causal relationship between increasing concentrations of these compatible solutes and improved stress tolerance is evident from enrichment through external addition or through molecular genetic methods. To increase the water absorption capability of cells their absolute concentration is sometimes found inadequate. For safeguarding macro molecules in organisms against moderate water loss preferential exclusion, therefore, seems to be the prominent mechanism. It is essential to have preferential exclusion in order to counteract the concentration of destabilizing molecules in cells during water loss to inhibit denaturation of proteins and membrane fusion."

More papers on Prokaryotes:

• Essay # 65983 : "Prokaryotic Sigma and Theta Replication"
• Research Paper # 55725 : "Desiccation Tolerance in Prokaryotes"
• Essay # 48087 : "Forms of Life"

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