Date of Award
2016
Type
Thesis
Major
Biology
Department
Biology
Abstract
Methylobacteria primary uses Cl substrates as a carbon and energy source. This experiment was performed to see if Methylobacteria would lose the ability to use Cl compound methanol after prolonged exposure to multi-carbon substrates. To determine this, the bacteria was grown on MR2A3 (multi-carbon substrates) and MOM (single-carbon substrates) for multiple generations and tested for loss of function on a series of generations. These tests include streaking plates of MOM and R2A with bacteria from MR2A3 then getting a bacterial colony count and also toothpick transfers of the colonies to verify findings. After 20 generations there were no significant decrease in the number of colonies grown on R2A plates and MOM plates. In addition all the colonies grew on the plates for the toothpick transfers. The experiment resulted in no loss of function for Methylobacteria to grow on methanol after 20 generations of isolation from methanol. Overall bacterial evolution is never definite and can vary depending on the strain and stability of the bacteria in question.
Recommended Citation
Skariah, Justin T., "The Loss of Methanol Utilization in Methylobacteria" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 249.
https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/249
