Exercise 1- Variation in Bacteria: A Change in its Phenotype

Boctuanon, Fatima Alesandra U., Cabildo, Carmelle Denise C., Guerra, Maria Carmela C.

Abstract

A change in the genotype of a bacteria or its phenotype is called as variation. Phenotypic

variations are usually seen when bacteria are grown under certain environmental conditions. Genotypic
variation occur in the genes by means of mutation, gene flow, and loss or acquisition of new genetic
elements. Adaptation to temperature is another well-studied example of molecular response to long-term
environmental pressures. Some organisms can adapt to their environments that, under some conditions,
they can grow at room temperature but inactive at 37˚C.

Introduction

Phenotypes refer to the observable physical traits possessed by an organism such as height, color,
shape, etc. These characteristics may be determined by an established genetic identity known as the
genotype, brought about as a response to environmental influences or oftentimes, a combination of both
(Madigan et al., 2015). Any of these lead to phenotypic variation, the variability in phenotypes that occur
within a population. These variations are present in all forms of life, as a means for diversification among
organisms and an adaptive mechanism to withstand radical environmental conditions. This experiment
aims to observe phenotypic variation in Serratia marcescens and Micrococcus luteus colonies when
grown at room temperature and 37˚C.

Methodology

Four Nutrient Agar plates were prepared. Two of these plates were streaked using a loop with
Serratia marcescens and the other two were streaked with Micrococcus luteus. One plate of each
organism was incubated at a room temperature and the other plate placed in 37 ˚C. Pigment production
has been observed and results were recorded in the manual.

Results and Discussion

Table 1. Result of pigment production

The table below shows the result of the experiment after incubation. Pigment production is
evident on the plates.
 Bacterial species Pigment production

Room temperature 37˚C

Red pigment Colorless

Serratia marcescens

Yellow pigment Colorless

Micrococcus
luteus

Observation

Species produce pigments due to a certain environmental stimuli. Based on the result of the
experiment, Serratia marcescens produced a red pigment called prodigiosin at room temperature. On the
other hand, when placed in a 37˚ C, the pigment is no longer visible. According to Lynn (2005),
temperature affects the activity of one or more enzymes included in the production of prodigiosin.
Specific enzyme to create this pigment like prodigiosin lose activity when temperature reaches 30˚C and
above. S. marcescens produce pigments only if they grow optimally. Temperature has served as an
influence in gene expression for some organisms (Lobo, 2008). The gene present in S. marcescens is
active at room temperature but inactive at 37˚C. On the other hand, Micrococcus luteus also shows yellow
pigment at room temperature and colorless at 37˚C. Temperature regulation of gene expression results
this organism a distinctive pigment or color and at high temperature, this pigment is said to be inactive.

Conclusion

Microorganisms exhibit phenotypic variation as an adaptive response caused by an external

stimulus. In the experiment, a change in temperature resulted in inactivity of the enzymes that produce the
visible pigment, thus colorless colonies were produced due to the non-optimal temperature growth.

Guide Questions

1. Does phenotypic variation occur in higher forms of life? Explain your answer.

All organisms are capable of eliciting phenotypic variations. Pleomorphism, lack of pigment
production because of enzyme degradation, formation of spheroplasts and protoplasts and production of
flagella are some of the microbial phenotypic variations observed. As for the plants, phenotypic variations
include changes in flower color and leaf shape. Likewise, humans possess these variations such as
colorblindness, earlobe attachment, hand clasping, curly hair, hairline shape, etc. These phenotypic
variations are necessary and responsible for the diversity among life forms, hence, a species’ survival
over time.

2. Is phenotypic variation always associated with genotypic changes? Explain your answer.

Mechanisms of variation are not always clear. However, there is a typically clear genotype-
phenotype correlation that associates with a specific phenotype, this link is frequently disorganized. Even
though one cannot specify in advance environmental events will affect phenotypic development.

3. How will you account for the pigment production by Serratia marcescens and Micrococcus
luteus as a response to temperature?

Both Serratia marcescens and Micrococcus luteus show yellow pigments at room temperature
and colorless at 37˚C. Temperature plays a role in controlling the expression of pigments on both
organisms. Differences in temperature affects growth and pigment production due to the temperature of
the enzymatic activities cannot correspond with the optimum growth temperature needed by the bacteria.
References

[1] Lynn, B. (2005). Temperature Tincture: The Effects of Temperature on Bacterial Pigmentation.
Harvard:Brigham.

[2] Lobo, I. (2008). Environmental influence on gene expression. Nature Education, 1(1), 39.

[3] Madigan, M., Martinko, J., Bender, K., Buckley, D., & Stahl, D. (2015). Brock Biology of
Microorganisms. Glenview, IL: Peason Education, Inc.

Contribution:

BOCTUANON- Introduction, Conclusion, Guide Question number 1

CABILDO- Abstract, Methodology, Guide question number 2

GUERRA- Objectives, Observation, Guide question number 3