They don't even have a brain, they actually have 'memory' and can pass it on to their offspring?

Tech 2023-05-08 08:56:13 Source: Network

In our impression, microorganisms are organisms with a simple structure and a single mode of activity. Their daily routine is to eat, reproduce, and then die

In our impression, microorganisms are organisms with a simple structure and a single mode of activity. Their daily routine is to eat, reproduce, and then die. But biologists have discovered that this simple organism also has powerful memory abilities.

Unlike human memory, microorganisms clearly cannot remember pi and cannot memorize three hundred Tang poems. howeverThey can remember what happened before, where they have been, and even respond to possible future events based on past experiences.

Some scientists useHistorical dependence behavior(HistoryDependentBehavior, HDB)The mechanism by which microorganisms react based on past experienceHistorical dependence behavior

In the process of brewing wine,yeastyeast

yeastyeastyeastIt is one of the representatives.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)yeastATP1 molecule of glucose can produce 2 molecules of ethanol and 2 molecules of ATP

The second is the oxidative phosphorylation process in the presence of oxygen1 molecule of glucose can produce 32 molecules of ATPThe efficiency is very high, so usually at this time, the fermentation of ethanol is inhibited and cell growth is improved. This phenomenon is calledPasteur effect

yeastyeastIn high concentration glucose environmentEthanol and ATP produced in large quantities by fermenting sugars can inhibit the activity of the respiratory chain.

This explains why in a high concentration glucose environmentyeastPasteur effectH.G.Crabtree effect

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However, when cells that have been exposed to this carbon source, and even daughter cells within a few generations, switch to the carbon source again,Their hysteresis period will be significantly shortenedResearchers believe that some key proteins are at work. These proteins can be retained and passed on to the next generation.

yeastHistorical dependence behavior

yeastyeastHistorical dependence behaviorGenes related to respiratory and mitochondrial function play a crucial role

Crabtree effectGenes in respiratory related pathways are preferentially induced for expressionThe activation of these genes occurs earlier than the activation of genes that metabolize other carbon sources.

At the same time, experiments have found that theThe stronger the respiratory function, the shorter the lag time required for switching carbon sources Bacteria that have undergone carbon source switching can grow more quickly and effectively through respiration, shortening the lag period.

Do you feel a bit familiar with this? It's similar to vaccinating against influenza. After coming into contact with pathogens, the body forms antibodies and can react quickly the next time you encounter this situation.

Historical dependence behavior

However, the 'memory' ability of microorganisms may also cause us trouble.

Antibiotics are a very effective method in treating diseases caused by bacteria. However, bacteria can mutate to produce resistance genes and escape the pursuit of antibiotics, leading to the emergence of "super bacteria".

One of the mechanisms by which bacteria have drug resistance is the formation of biofilms, thereby reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics. A study found thatBacteria can remember where they have been before, so they are more likely to form bacterial colonies

Scientists have also found that bacteria in biofilms canRemember the light stimulus you have been exposed to, and keep the change of membrane potential They believe that this memory method is somewhat similar to the way neurons transmit information.

Some scholars speculate that if bacteria can be "forgotten" about their past behavior patterns in reverse, preventing their surface attachment in the early stages, it can interrupt the formation of biofilms and prevent bacterial infections.

Sometimes it's better to forget

Editor in Chief: Gulu

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