Bacteria are present everywhere: in water, air, soil, in mountainous areas and even hot geysers. They can choose plants, animals and even humans as their habitat. Bacteria have a very small size and various shapes, due to which they can penetrate even the most inaccessible places and are resistant to temperatures and other unfavorable living conditions. According to the method of nutrition, they are autotrophic and heterotrophic. The latter, in turn, are divided into saporotrophs (saprophytes) and symbionts. Let's take a closer look at saprophyte bacteria.

Basic properties of saprophytes

Saprotrophs are heterotrophic organisms that use waste products, decomposition, and decay of other living organisms as nutrients. The process of food absorption occurs due to the release of a special enzyme onto the consumed product, which breaks it down.

Nutrition is the process of storing energy and nutrients. For normal existence, bacteria require a number of nutrients, such as:

• nitrogen (in the form of amino acids);
• proteins;
• carbohydrates;
• vitamins;
• nucleotides;
• peptides.

In laboratory conditions, for the propagation of saprophytes, autolysate from yeast, whey from milk, meat hydrolysates, and some plant extracts are used as nutrient media.

An indicative process of the presence of saprophytes in products is the formation of rot. The danger comes from the waste products of these microorganisms, as they are quite toxic. Saprophytes are a kind of orderlies in the environment.

The main representatives of saprophytes:

1. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudomonas);
2. Escherichia coli (Proteus, Escherichia);
3. Morganella;
4. Klebsiella;
5. Bacillus;
6. Clostridia (Clostridium);
7. some types of mushrooms (Penicilum, etc.)

Physiological processes of saprotrophic bacteria

Among these microorganisms are:

Doctor's opinion..."

• anaerobes (Escherichia coli, it can live in an oxygen-containing environment, but all life processes take place without the participation of oxygen);
• aerobes (putrefactive bacteria that use oxygen in their life processes);
• spore-forming bacteria (genus Clostridia);
• non-spore-forming microorganisms (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa).

Almost the entire variety of saprophytes, as a result of their vital activity, produces various cadaveric poisons, hydrogen sulfide, and cyclic aromatic compounds (for example, indole). The most dangerous to humans are hydrogen sulfide, thiol and dimethyl sulfoxide, which can lead to severe poisoning and even death.

Saprotrophs take their part in the process of decay.

Since by their nature these species are quite difficult to distinguish, the following classification arose:

Facultative saprophytes

Role saprotrophs in a person's life

This type of bacteria plays a very significant role in the cycle of nature. At the same time, the objects for their nutrition are things that are, to one degree or another, important for humans.

Saprotrophs play a very important role in the processing of organic residues. Since any organism dies at the end of its life, the nutrient medium for these microorganisms will exist continuously. Saprophytes produce, in the form of products of their vital activity, many constituent substances necessary for the nutrition of other organisms (fermentation processes, transformation of sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus compounds, etc. in nature).

Associate Professor, Candidate of Medical Sciences - Victoria Vladimirovna Dvornichenko:

SAPROPHYTES (from the Greek sapros - rotten and phy-ton - plant), microbes that feed on dead organic matter and are contrasted with parasites that live in (resp. on) the body and feed on living organic substrate. S. are widespread in nature, found in soil, water, etc., as well as in the human and animal body, where on the surface of the body and in its cavities they find the nutritional material they need. It can be considered very probable that parasites originated from S. by adapting to the conditions of existence in an animal organism. This is supported by the fact that there is a close relationship between S. and parasites, and any parasitic species of microbes corresponds to b. or m. an extensive group of saprophytic forms; yes, at the tubes. rods are closely related to acid-resistant C, widely distributed in soil, water, on grass stems, etc.; Next to the parasite, Vibrio cholerae, there are many types of cholera-like microbes that live Ch. arr. in water; the diphtheria bacillus parasite corresponds to S. diphtheroids, etc. Saprophytes are usually non-pathogenic microbes, but in this respect the line between them and pathogenic parasitic microbes is not always drawn sharply enough. On the one hand, there are microbes that lead a saprophytic lifestyle, but are nonetheless pathogenic; Thus, the botulism bacillus is C, but by releasing a toxin, it can cause a fatal disease for humans. On the other hand, S. that is harmless to humans or animals can, under certain conditions, acquire pathogenic properties. The so-called microbes de sortie are normal inhabitants of the animal body and are non-pathogenic: under certain conditions, however, they become the cause of disease. There can be many examples of sapsphytes acquiring pathogenic properties; Thus, human diseases caused by the following Cs have been described: rodent pseudotuberculosis bacillus (otitis media purulenta), Escherichia coli (pyelocystitis), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (meningitis), Vas. subtilis (intestinal form of pseudoanthrax "a), Proteus (general sepsis, meningitis), etc. Many authors report on the artificial transformation of S. into pathogenic microbes. Thus, Uhlenhuth and Zuelzer managed to transform an aquatic spirochete into Sp. icterogenes; Kolle, Schlossberger and Pfannenstiel (KoUe, Schlossberger, Pfannenstiel) described the transformation of various acid-resistant S. into an acid-resistant bacillus, similar in its properties to the true tuberculosis bacillus; stick; Eisenberg obtained a variety of Sarcina tetragenes, which turns out to be virulent for mice and guinea pigs, etc. Not all of these observations are impeccable (for example, the observations of Colle, Schlossberger, Pfannenstiel), but this does not allow, however, to deny the possibility of S. acquiring pathogenic properties. Being widespread in nature, S. are also found in large quantities in the human body, inhabiting cavities in it that communicate with the outside air; a large number of saprophytes are contained in the intestinal cavity; they are also found in the mouth, vagina, etc. The issue of the interaction of saprophytes and parasites in the natural conditions of their existence has been little studied. Recent work (Zilber) suggests that filterable microbes can be grown on sapro-Fit.V. Lyubarsky. SARCOIDS. In the crust, time in the group of sarcoids (see. Century sarcoid And Lupoid) include those connective tissue neoplasms, which are clinically expressed in the form of nodules of various sizes, very often, but not always multiple, almost completely painless, with an extremely slow course. They are distinguished by their benign quality in the sense that they have a very slight tendency to ulceration, do not metastasize, do not cause any significant general disorders, are prone to reverse development and are amenable to therapy. events. Subcutaneous sarcoids were described by Daria together with Russi in 1904-06. This form is characterized by the presence of neoplasms without subjective sensations; they seem to be non-inflammatory, hron. or subacute, of various sizes - from a pea to a walnut; in some cases they are located separately, in others they merge, forming quite extensive, uneven plaques, sometimes arranged in the form of cords. The skin above these neoplasms is either mobile or welded together, either normal in color or cyanotic pink. They are sometimes located symmetrically, most often localized in the area of ​​the shoulder blades, on the lateral surfaces of the torso, on the front surface of the thighs and lower abdomen, but can also be located in other places. They occur in adults, less often in children, and generally equally often in men and women. They can drag on for quite a long time. Histologically, according to Hans, a generally very similar picture to other S. is revealed. In some cases there is a typical tuberculoid structure, in others there is a banal infiltrate, which is located hl. arr. in the subcutaneous tissue, but extends in the form of processes into the dermis. The infiltrate consists mainly of lymphocytes, young connective tissue cells, epithelioid and giant cells and is located in the form of tubercles. Changes in blood vessels and adipose tissue almost completely correspond to what is observed with Bazin's erythema induratum (see. Bazin's erythema indus-%>ativpaya). Scattered nodular sarcoids morphologically represent either smaller or smaller nodes, falling out in attacks, symmetrically located ch. arr. on the extensor surface of the limbs in quantities of 10 or more. The skin has a normal or bluish-pink color. These nodes are very rarely painful, sometimes very dense, sometimes somewhat pasty. They very rarely erode; observed in persons of both sexes at any age. Histologically, as well as clinically, they are very close to the form described above. The process involves subcutaneous tissue and deeper layers of the dermis. As with indurated erythema of Bazin, the starting point of changes is the vascular system. Along with this, small necrotic areas are found in the adipose tissue and connective tissue septa. The infiltrate consists of lymphocytes, lymphocytes, epithelioid and giant cells. Sometimes there is a pronounced tuberculoid structure and the so-called. Wucheratrophie. When making a differential diagnosis of both types of S., first of all one has to think about tumors, from which these S. differ in the nature of development and structure. In some places they can give rise to confusion with adenopathy. In addition, you have to keep in mind the gums and knots caused by injections. The origin of S. cannot yet be considered completely clarified; at the same time, it is definitively known that S. represent a neoplasm of an inflammatory nature, and not a tumor. They are formed as a result of vascular embolism and are a consequence of infection. This is evidenced by the nature of their structure, development, and preferential location near the vessels. A number of facts force us to consider them in connection with TBC and consider them in the vast majority of cases to be tuberculids (Yadasson, Kirle, Lutz). Martenstein points out that in S. the virulence of the tbc bacillus is so reduced that it does not produce an allergic effect. In some cases, however, the syphilitic nature of the disease has been undoubtedly proven (Potrier, Bloch, Mza-reulov). Daria and Levandovsky also support the fact that in some cases the nature of S. is unknown and that sarcoids are a syndrome in the etiology of which TBC is most often found, and this is especially true for indurated erythema of Bazin and subcutaneous sarcoids. Some (Dealer, Kreibich) consider sarcoids to be an “independent infectious granuloma.” - P prognosis b. h. favorable - almost complete recovery may occur, but relapses are possible. Work ability is often not impaired. Treatment consists of using arsenic preparations, which very often give good results. Sometimes salvarsan also works very well. Daria recommends mercury preparations (calomel), and sometimes resorts to treatment with intradermal injections of very small doses of tuberculin, combining the latter with salvarsan preparations. Lit.: Krupnikov D., On the etiology of Boeck’s sarcoid, Rus.vest.dermatol., 1926, No. 7; Morozov N., On the issue O benign sarcoid skin tumors of the Boeck type, Russian journal of skin and veins b-ney, vol. XV, No. 1, 1908; Pavlov P., On the issue of so-called benign sarcoid skin tumors, ibid., vol. VI, 1903; T e o d o r o i h V., On the issue of the identity of Boeck’a and Lupus pernio sarcoids, Rus. Vestn. dermatol., 1931, No. 2; U s t i n o v s k i y A., On the issue of skin sarcoids, ibid., 1925, No. 3; Yakubson A., About sarcoid skin formations of the Boeck type, Ven. and Dermat., 1926, No. 6; Fendt H., Beitrage zur Kenntnis der sogenannten sarcoiden Geschwiilste der Haut, Arch. f. Derm. u. Syph. , B. L1II, 1900; Gans O., Ober Lupus pernio und seine Beziehungen zum Sarcoid Boeck, Derm., B. XXXIII, 1921; Joseph M., tfner Hautsarcoraatose, Arch f. , B. XLV, 1898; K a r o s i M., Aerztl. d. K. al]g. zu Wien, 170; Hautkrankheiten, V., 1899; et ses rapports avec les sarcoides et la tuberculose, Ann. derm, et syph., v. Spiegler E., t) ber die sogenannte Sar-comatosis cutis, Archiv fur Derm, und Syph., Band XXVJI, 1894.3. Grzhebin.

(animals and protists) decomposers differ primarily in that they do not leave solid undigested residues (excrement). In ecology, detritivorous animals are traditionally classified as consumers (see, for example, Bigon, Harper, Townsend, 1989). At the same time, all organisms emit carbon dioxide and water, and often other inorganic (ammonia) or simple organic (urea) molecules and thus take part in the destruction (destruction) of organic matter.

Ecological role of decomposers

Decomposers return mineral salts to the soil and water, making them available to autotrophic producers, and thus closing the biotic cycle. Therefore, ecosystems cannot survive without decomposers (unlike consumers, which were probably absent from ecosystems during the first 2 billion years of evolution, when ecosystems consisted of only prokaryotes).

The role of decomposers in the energy sector of modern ecosystems

Abiotic and biotic factors regulating ecosystems

Research by N.I. Bazilevich et al. (1993) established that in terrestrial ecosystems there are two groups of factors regulating destructive processes that play a very significant role in the biological cycle.

Sources

1. Bigon M., Harper J., Townsend K. Ecology. Individuals, populations and communities: in 2 volumes. M.: Mir, 1989. - 667 pp., illus.
2. Vronsky A.V., Applied ecology: textbook. Rostov n/d.: Publishing house "Phoenix", 1996, 512 p. ISBN 5-85880-099-8
3. Garin V. M., Klenova I. A., Kolesnikov V. I. Ecology for technical universities. Series "Higher Education". Ed. prof. V. M. Garina. Rostov n/d.: Publishing house "Phoenix", 2003, 384 p. ISBN 5-222-03768-1

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See what “Saprophytes” are in other dictionaries:

Plants, mushrooms, etc., feeding on decaying substances. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. SAPROPHYTES plants (fungi, bacteria, etc.) feeding on decaying substances. Dictionary of foreign... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

See Art. Saprotrophs. Ecological encyclopedic dictionary. Chisinau: Main editorial office of the Moldavian Soviet Encyclopedia. I.I. Dedu. 1989. Saprophytes (from the Greek sapros rotten and phyton plant) belonging to the saprotrophs of plants ... Ecological dictionary

- (from the Greek sapros rotten and phyton plant) plants, fungi and bacteria that feed on the organic matter of dead organisms. Heterotrophs. They decompose animal corpses and excretions, plant remains... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

SAPROPHYTES, plants or fungi that feed on dead and decaying tissues of plants or animals. Usually do not have CHLOROPHYLL. They decompose animal corpses and excretions, as well as plant remains... Scientific and technical encyclopedic dictionary

Plants that live on dead, decaying organic matter. This category includes the majority of mushrooms (q.v.), which, due to the absence of chlorophyll in their constituent parts (q.v.), use exclusively organic materials for their existence... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

- (from the Greek saprós rotten and phytón plant), plants, fungi and bacteria that feed on the organic matter of dead organisms. Heterotrophs. They decompose animal corpses and excretions, plant debris. * * * SAPROPHYTES SAPROPHYTES (from the Greek sapros... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary

saprophytes- saprofitai statusas T sritis ekologija ir aplinkotyra apibrėžtis Organizmai (grybai, bakterijos, kai kurie dumbliai), mintantys negyvų organizmų tirpiomis organinėmis liekanomis. atitikmenys: engl. saprophytes vok. Saprophyten, m rus. saprophytes... Ekologijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

Saprophytic fungi are special organisms that feed on the remaining parts of plants or animals. A large number of fungi currently belong to the category of saprophytes. They feed on substances that they independently extract from the remains. The following remains serve as substrate:

• humus;
• straw;
• branches, stumps;
• trunks;
• feathers, horns;
• charcoal and others.

But not all saprophytes prefer a variety of substrates. For example, the famous summer honey fungus mainly feeds on the remains of deciduous trees. False honey mushrooms prefer only coniferous trees. Other species, for example, white dung beetle or yellowish rhizopogon, live well in areas where there is a high concentration of nitrogen.

While they are useful organisms for nature, they are not for humans. These fungi can appear on food products, which can then no longer be consumed.

Yellowish rhizopogon lives in areas with excess nitrogen

Examples of saprophyte organisms

Saprophytes feed on dead organisms. The result of their activities is based on rot and decay. The prominent representatives of saprophytes include the following representatives:

1. Penicillium.

This representative belongs to the generic branch of lower mold fungi of the class zygomycetes. In total, the class includes 60 species of various mushrooms. They can be found in the top layer of the earth; they can develop on food and organic parts. A certain amount of mucor can cause disease not only in animals, but also in humans.

But there are a number of mushrooms that are intended for use in the production of antibiotics or as a starter. Only those mucor mushrooms that have high enzymatic activity are used in production.

Reproduction of mucor fungi can be asexual or sexual. In asexual reproduction, the shell of a mature mushroom quickly and easily dissolves from moisture, and several thousand spores come out. Two branches take part in sexual reproduction: homothallic and heterothallic. They unite with each other to form a zygote, after which a hypha with an embryonic sporangium begins to germinate. People use Chinese mucor and snail mucor as leaven. Many people call these mushrooms Chinese yeast.

With the help of such yeast, people can obtain ethanol from potatoes.

Mucor can cause illness in humans and animals

These mushrooms belong to the category of saprophytic mushrooms. They come from a genus of higher aerobic mold fungi. The class includes several hundred varieties. All varieties are widespread in various climatic zones. Aspergilli can adapt well to a variety of substrates and form fluffy colonies. Initially, these colonies are white. But later the shade changes depending on the progression of the type of fungus.

As for the mycelium of the mushroom, it is quite strong. Partitions are available. Like many saprophytes, Aspergillus reproduces using peculiar spores. Similar to Mucor, Aspergillus can reproduce both asexually and sexually. Unlike other mushrooms, this class representative does not have a sexual stage of development. After the ability to detect DNA appeared, scientists found that Aspergillus is closely related to ascomycetes.

Aspergillus can be found in soils where there is a high oxygen content. It mainly grows as mold on the top of the substrate. Varieties of this saprophyte are dangerous infecting organisms that mainly affect food products that contain starch. They can also grow on the surface or inside a tree or plant.

Aspergillus is a higher aerobic mold fungus

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Most representatives of the kingdom Bacteria are saprophytic. They are, to varying degrees, demanding of organic compounds, which are of great importance in the processes of their development and life. Bacteria are found in nature that can normally exist only in complex sources (substrates), for example, these can be putrefactive decomposing remains of plants and animals, milk, etc. Thus, for the life of bacteria, some essential nutritional components are necessary. Such substances are:

• nitrogen (or a set of amino acids),
• carbohydrates,
• proteins,
• peptides,
• vitamins,
• nucleotides (possibly components suitable for their synthesis, such as nitrogenous bases, five-carbon sugars).

To meet the needs of saprophytes in laboratory conditions, cultivation is carried out in media that contain plant extracts, whey, yeast autolysates, and hydrolyzed meat products.

At the same time, some representatives of saprophytic bacteria may choose living organisms weakened by disease as their homes, as an example of some plants. Weakness can be caused in nature by age-related changes in a living plant or by the stage of development of the disease under the influence of a pathogenic pathogen.

The role of saprophytic organisms in the living world occupies a very important place. Most of them are necessary in nature for the purpose of processing organic waste. Since the life course of any living organism ends with death, there is always food for saprophytes. Thus, they play the role of environmental health workers. Also, these bacteria are an important link in the cycle of organic substances, as they decompose dead tissue into components that are then used by other organisms.

The importance of these bacteria for the environment is not limited to the processing of organic matter. They are active participants in the processes of mineralization and transformation of chemicals. As an example of the participation of saprophytic bacteria in the cycle of substances, the following processes can be considered: the transformation of phosphorus, sulfur, nitrogen, carbon, fermentation processes.

Thus, the importance of saprophytic bacteria in the environment is quite high.