Clostridium botulinum, Biology

Assignment Help:

Clostridium botulinum is an anaerobic, Gram-positive, spore forming, rod shaped bacteria that produces the potent neurotoxin. The organism and its spores are widely distributed in nature and occur in both cultivated and forest soils, bottom of streams, lakes and coastal waters and in the intestinal tracts of fish and mammals and in viscera of shellfish.

On the basis of the serological specificity of their toxins, seven types of Clostridium botulinum are recognized: A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Types A, B, E, F and G cause disease in humans; type C causes botulism in fowls, cattle, mink and other animals and type D is associated with forage poisoning of cattle. Being a saprophyte, the organism seldom grows or produces toxin in the live animal; it can do so only by growing in food. The toxins are simple heat labile proteins and can be destroyed if heated at 80ºC for 10 minutes or longer.

C. botulinum does not produce the fully toxic molecule; instead a progenitor toxin is activated to its full toxicity by enzymes. The progenitor toxin is hydrolyzed to the highly toxic derivative toxin and is carried to target nerves where it binds to the synapses of motor neurons and prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. As a consequence, muscles do not contract in response to motor neuron activity and flaccid paralysis results.


Related Discussions:- Clostridium botulinum

Describe how micrornas are able to influence gene expression, 1. Transcript...

1. Transcriptional analyses of eukaryotic cells reveal widespread production of RNA. Using specific examples describe how: a) microRNAs are able to influence gene expression.

How dietary iron is absorbed in my blood vessels, What pathway does dietary...

What pathway does dietary iron follow in blood vessels

Monitoring therapy for endocarditis, Within a week after initiation of effe...

Within a week after initiation of effective antimicrobial therapy, almost 75 per cent of patients with IE, including those with PVE, are afebrile and 90 per cent have defervesced b

What is the life cycle of the hookworms, Q. What is the life cycle of the h...

Q. What is the life cycle of the hookworms? The Adult hookworms within the human intestine release eggs that are eliminated with the human feces. Under the adequate conditions

What are the major cells of which poriferans are made, Q What are the major...

Q What are the major cells of which poriferans are made? Sponges have their external wall covered by flat cells called pinacocytes and having pores well-delimited by special ce

Define national programmes targeting children and adolescent, Define Nation...

Define National Programmes Targeting Children and Adolescents? Two programmes specially target children and adolescents as a vulnerable group. These are: a) Mid Day Meal Pro

Explain cellular regeneration, Q. What is the cellular regeneration? How is...

Q. What is the cellular regeneration? How is the mitosis related to this process? Some tissues are capable to regenerate when injured. The liver, for instance, regenerates when

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd