2.1C: Cooperation Among Microorganisms
- Page ID
- 77584
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)
\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)
\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)
\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)
\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)
\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)
\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)
\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}} % arrow\)
\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)
\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)
\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Cooperative behavior, includes mutualism and altruism, benefits one party while the other performs a certain behavior.
- Compare and contrast the following cooperative behavior: mutalism and altruism
Key Points
- In microbial systems, there are two main types of cooperation, altruism and mutualism.
- Mutualism is a relationship between microorganisms that is mutually beneficial (+/+). This means that both parties are receiving positive things from their interaction.
- Altruism is a relationship between microorganisms that is beneficial to one party, but harmful to the the (+/-). Scientists believe that the individual that is at a loss performs the action because they believe it will ultimately benefit others whom they share a relationship with (like family).
Key Terms
- Cooperation: Association for mutual benefit.
- mutualism: A relationship between individuals of different species in which both individuals benefit
- altruism: Regard for others, both natural and moral; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness; – opposed to egoism or selfishness.
Microbial Cooperation
![image](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/courses-images/wp-content/uploads/sites/1950/2017/06/02022529/anus-shiraki-usgov-k8204-7.jpeg)
A cooperative behavior benefits one party while the other performs a certain behavior or takes a particular action. In microbial systems, there are two main types of cooperation, altruism and mutualism. It is important to remember that microorganisms include bacteria, archaea, fungi, and protists. They are too small to be seen with the naked eye, but they play a huge role in the world as we know it and have a great deal of biological diversity.
Mutualism
Mutualism is a relationship between microorganisms that is mutually beneficial (+/+). This means that both parties benefit from their interaction. A microbial example is the interaction between protozoa and archaea in the digestive tracts of some animals. These animals eat cellulose which is broken down by the protozoa to obtain energy. This process releases hydrogen as a waste product, which in turn reduces energy production. Specialized archaea convert the hydrogen (which they need) to methane, which allows energy production to increase. Both the protozoa and archaea benefit from this relationship.
Altruism
Altruism is a relationship between microorganisms that is beneficial to one party, but harmful to the the (+/-). Most scientists believe that the individual that is harmed, or at a loss, performs the action because they believe it will ultimately benefit others whom it is close to or share a relationship with (like family). On a microscopic level, this happens with programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Although it does not seem like it would be beneficial for the cell to die, it has been suggested that the resources it was using could be better utilized by other cells for growth and survival.
LICENSES AND ATTRIBUTIONS
CC LICENSED CONTENT, SHARED PREVIOUSLY
- Curation and Revision. Provided by: Boundless.com. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
CC LICENSED CONTENT, SPECIFIC ATTRIBUTION
- Escherichia coli. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Escheri...mal_microbiota. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- Human microbiome. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_microbiome. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- host. Provided by: Wiktionary. Located at: en.wiktionary.org/wiki/host. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- interferon. Provided by: Wiktionary. Located at: en.wiktionary.org/wiki/interferon. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- microorganism. Provided by: Wiktionary. Located at: en.wiktionary.org/wiki/microorganism. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- EscherichiaColi NIAID. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Es...Coli_NIAID.jpg. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- Haemophilus ducreyi. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Haemophilus_ducreyi. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- Opportunistic infection. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportunistic_infection. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- Hiv. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiv. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- Microorganisms. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Microorganisms. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- Opportunism. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportu...al_opportunism. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- immunodeficiency. Provided by: Wiktionary. Located at: en.wiktionary.org/wiki/immunodeficiency. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- Opportunistic. Provided by: Wiktionary. Located at: en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Opportunistic. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- microorganism. Provided by: Wiktionary. Located at: en.wiktionary.org/wiki/microorganism. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- EscherichiaColi NIAID. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Es...Coli_NIAID.jpg. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- HIV-budding-Color. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HI...ding-Color.jpg. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- Archaea. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaea%23Mutualism. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- Microbial cooperation. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbial_cooperation. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- altruism. Provided by: Wiktionary. Located at: en.wiktionary.org/wiki/altruism. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- Cooperation. Provided by: Wiktionary. Located at: en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Cooperation. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- mutualism. Provided by: Wiktionary. Located at: en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mutualism. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- EscherichiaColi NIAID. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Es...Coli_NIAID.jpg. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- HIV-budding-Color. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HI...ding-Color.jpg. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- Coptotermes formosanus shiraki USGov k8204-7. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Co...ov_k8204-7.jpg. License: Public Domain: No Known Copyright