Henry Mauser

09/11/19
Dr. Orcutt
BIOL 205 L
Lab 2 Post-Lab
A. 3.

1. Morphology hypotheses: Proteus vulgaris - The rod shapes allow these bacteria to
move more quickly than if they had other morphologies.
Streptococcus pneumonia – The circular shape of this bacterium allows it to remain in
designated areas more easily than if it had other shapes, useful considering it is a
pathogen.

2. Considering that the two species observed which are sister groups on the given
phylogeny exhibit different morphologies (Proteus vulgaris and Azotobacter
chroococcum), it is not likely that relatedness explains this difference since obviously
they are not similar (which would be expected from such relatedness). It is reasonable
to assume that the similar circular and Gram-negative morphologies of Azotobacter
chroococcum and Rhodospirillum rubum are because of the fact that they both fix
nitrogen, though they are not drastically unrelated either.

B. 14.

Unknown Cell Cell Gram Approximat Colony Colony Name of

Letter Shape Arrangement Stain e Cell Size Morphology Margin Bacteria

D Coccus Staphylococcus Negative ~ 0.5 µm Circular Entire Serratta

(Appears marcescens
positive
due to
number
of cells)

Final Questions:
A. The main structural differences include the individual cell morphology, as well as the
type of cell wall due to the Gram staining. Also, though not structural in the sense of
individual bacteria, the arrangement of different bacterial species can be seen, which
could be considered to be structural in that it reflects the structure of many cells together.
B. When it comes to morphology, the rod-shaped bacteria (such as the Proteus vulgaris)
likely have that shape due to the necessity for efficient movement, as explained in Young
(2007). The circular bacteria may perhaps then be considered to be more immobile or at
 least have less pressure to move, which for species like Azotobacter chroococcum is
reasonable given their function (these cells sit and fix nitrogen).
C. The gram stain result of the unknown bacteria was Gram-negative, meaning that the cell
wall is composed of a relatively small amount of peptidoglycan and an outer membrane
(with the peptidoglycan in between the plasma membrane and outer membrane). This is
different from the cell wall structure of Gram-positive cells, which have only the plasma
membrane and instead a large layer of peptidoglycan outside of it for the cell wall.
D. The hypothesis for the Proteus vulgaris bacteria could be tested by establishing a
microscope apparatus where upon looking into the eyepiece, there is a measured, known
distance in the field of view. Some live bacteria of this species could then be placed onto
a slide with some incentive for movement, such as a nutrient source in some area on the
slide away from them. Observing them through the eyepiece and timing their movement
across the aforementioned known distance would allow their speed to be calculated. The
speed species could then be compared to other species with a similar incentive for
movement though with a different morphology, their speed being calculated in the same
manner. If the Proteus vulgaris are indeed faster than other species analyzed in this way,
it could reasonably be concluded that their rod shape is the reason for this and thus that it
purpose is for motility.
E. The cyanobacteria are green, while the other bacteria examined were not, meaning they
are likely photosynthetic and thus get their energy from light. Also, they appear to
arrange themselves in chains, which may assist the group in collective nutrient
acquisition, that is, by such an arrangement they may be able to share nutrients so that
whatever part of the chain is closer to these nutrients can keep the other cells living.
Collectively, then, they may be able to better thrive with this arrangement.