Actinomycetes
Category : 11th Class
It is a group of unicellular branched filamentous bacteria which resemble fungal mycelia. They grow in the form of radiating colonies in cultures and therefore, commonly called ray fungi. They are Gram +ve chemo-organotrophic, saprotrophic bacteria. Most species are facultative anaerobic. These are generally present as decomposers in soil. The filaments are aseptate (non-septate) branched and very thin (about 0.2 to 1.2 mm in width). The wall contains mycolic acid. They reproduce asexually by means of conidia, which are produced at tips of filaments. The endospores are not formed. Most of these secrete chemical substances having antimicrobial activities called antibiotics. Some of the most common and effective antibiotics are obtained from the different species of the genus streptomyces.
Some species are pathogenic and cause diseases in plant, animal and human beings, e.g., Mycobacterium. Some common diseases in plants are yellow ear rot of wheat (Tundu disease) caused by Corynebacterium tritici and scab of potato by Streptomyces scabies.
(1) Human disease |
|
Tuberculosis |
Mycobacterium tuberculosis hominis |
Leprosy |
Mycobacterium leprae |
Buruli's ulcer |
Mycobacterium ulcerans |
Actinomycosis |
Actinomyces israelii |
Diphtheria |
Corynebacterium diptheriae |
(2) Animal disease |
|
Tuberculosis of cattle |
Mycobacterium bovis |
Lumpy jaw |
Actinomyces bovis |
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