The Fundamentals of BacteriologyMorrey, Charles Bradfield
Science
The Fundamentals of Bacteriology
Morrey, Charles Bradfield
Bacteriology
From later studies it seems probable that substances resembling
the albumin of higher forms do not occur in bacteria, at least in
appreciable quantities. Globulin has been reported by Hellmich in an
undetermined bacterium, but is certainly not commonly found. The larger
portion of the protein is of a comparatively simple type, in fact,
consists of protamins most of which are in combination with nucleic
acid as nucleoprotamins. Practically all recent workers find a high
percentage of nuclein, both actually isolated and as indicated by the
amounts of purin bases--xanthin, guanin, adenin--obtained, as well as
by the abundance of phosphorus in the ash, already mentioned. Some of
these nucleins have been shown to have poisonous properties.
Closely related to but not identical with the proteins are the enzymes
and toxins which are formed in the cell and exist there as endo-enzymes
or endo-toxins respectively. These substances will be discussed later
under the heading “Physiological Activities of Bacteria” (Chapter XII).
Carbohydrates are not commonly present in the cell contents, though
glycogen has been observed in a few and a substance staining blue
with iodine in one or two others. This latter substance was at first
considered to be starch “granulose,” but is probably more closely
related to glycogen.
Fats seem to be very generally present. The commoner fats--tri-olein,
tri-palmitin, tri-stearin have been found by many analysts. The
“acid-fast bacteria” are particularly rich in fatty substances,
especially the higher wax-like fats. Lecithins (phosphorized fats) and
cholesterins (not fats but alcohols) have been repeatedly observed and
probably occur in all bacteria as products of katabolism.
Organic acids and esters occur as cell constituents but will be
discussed in connection with their more characteristic occurrences
as products of bacterial activity, as will also pigments which may
likewise be intracellular in some instances.
The following analysis of tubercle bacilli, from de Schweinitz and
Dorset, while not intended as typical for all bacteria, still
illustrates the high percentage of protein compounds which undoubtedly
occurs in most, as well as showing the large amount of fatty substance
in a typical “acid-fast” organism:
{ 8.5 per cent. tuberculinic acid
{ 24.5 „ nucleoprotamin }
In the dried { 23.0 „ neucleoprotein } 55.8 per cent.
organisms { 8.3 „ proteinoid } protein.
{ 26.5 „ fat and wax
{ 9.2 „ ash
CHAPTER VIII.
CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT (CONTINUED).
GENERAL FOOD RELATIONSHIPS. METABOLISM.
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