Author
 |
Anderson, Kevin |
|
Submitted to: Canadian Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Review Article Publication Acceptance Date: 6/2/2003 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are confronted with a constantly changing (and often hostile) environment, including fluctuations in both physical and chemical conditions. Neighboring microorganisms not only contend for substrate but even launch complex chemical attacks with the apparent purpose of disrupting the activity of their competitors. Thus, for bacteria to survive, and even flourish, in the GI tract they must posses the ability to adapt to these environmental fluctuations and assaults from other microbes. Such adaptation involves sophisticated programs in the bacterial cell that enable it to monitor its environment, and make necessary adjustments of physiological activity and gene expression. Among these adjustments is the ability of cell-to-cell communication, biofilm formation, and maintenance of genetic diversity through mutation and horizontal gene transfer. As a consequence, bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract often manifest very different physiological features than are observed for the same bacteria during routine laboratory cultivation. |
