The Identifying Factor Of Azotobacter

The Identifying Factor Of Azotobacter It is all too easy to forget about the soil microorganisms that are so crucial to the health of the flora and fauna of an ecosystem. When speaking of soil microorganisms, this classification can be further broken down into three subcategories: fungi, protista and bacteria, with bacteria making up the largest portion of the microorganisms (Boyle et al., 2007, Pelczar et al. 1993). These soil microorganisms play a central role to the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients such as, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Sulphur; elements which are detrimental for the growth and life of organisms (Bastida et al., 2007). In addition to their role in nutrient cycling, soil microorganisms largely contribute to soil structures by breaking down and decomposing organic matters, and are also an important food source for other organisms such as earth worms and amoebae (Bastida et al., 2007). Considering the impact of soil microorganisms on the environment and ecosystem, it is easy to see how soil microorganisms also impact human lifestyle and economy. In recent times, a flood of research has been conducted on the importance of microorganisms on agriculture, with interests in the ability of nitrogen fixing bacteria to substitute for nitrogenous fertilizers (Cakmacki et al. 2006). This lab focused on the bacterial portion of soil microorganisms, specifically, the isolation and identification of a single bacterium from a local soil sample using a number of aseptic laboratory techniques and Bergeys Manual of Systemic Bacteriology (1984). Materials and Methods The following methods were taken from the Biology 203 Lab Manual (Robertson 2008). Two soil samples were taken, the first from forest soil and the second, a coarse woody debris, from compost. These two samples were serially diluted to make solutions from 10E-2 to 10E-7, and from each sample pour plates, slants, streak plates and broths were inoculated using aseptic technique. The colony morphologies were observed and recorded and each plate was enumerated. From these samples 4 bacteria were chosen and subcultured onto streak plates and slants. After preparing and Gram Staining the slides the cell morphologies of the bacteria were observed and noted. The colonies were again subcultured onto streak plates and tested for the ability to hydrolyze starch by adding Iodine. The colonies were also cultured into Sulfide, Indole and Motility (SIM) deeps to test for the presences of the Sulfur cycle and motility. In addition Peptone broths were inoculated and the cultures were tested for ammoni fication. Ammonium sulfate broths and nitrite broths were inoculated and nitrification was tested for as well denitrification was tested for by inoculating nitrate broths. Aerobic respiration was confirmed when catalase tests were carried out by adding H2O2 to a sample of bacterium. Finally cultures were individually exposed to each of several different temperatures, salinities and levels of pH in order to determine their optimal environmental conditions. A single colony of bacteria was chosen to be identified: bacteria 1 from soil sample 2. Results The colony morphology can be described as a glistening opaque white color with a flat and irregular shape. The growth was smooth and soft. The diameter of the colony approximated 15mm. Under 1000x magnification it was revealed that the cells were bacilli, singlet and had a diameter of approximately 2ÃŽ ¼m. The cells stained Gram negative. Table 1: Summary of Results for Unidentified Bacterium 1 of Soil Sample 2 Test Result Starch Hydrolysis Positive H2S reduction Negative Motility Negative Aerobic or Anaerobic Aerobic Ammonification Positive Denitrification (NO3- to NO2-) Negative Nitrification (NH3/NH4+ to NO2-) Positive Nitrification (NH3/NH4+ to NO3-) Positive Catalase Positive Optimal temperature 22Â °C Optimal pH 5 Optimal salt concentration 0% The results of the remainder of the tests biochemical and environmental are summarized by Table 1. It was concluded based on the Iodine and starch reaction that this bacterium hydrolyzed starch as a source of Carbon. The Sulfur cycle did not occur as there was no black precipitate from the combination of Iron and hydrogen sulfide found in the SIM deeps. The SIM deeps did reveal that these bacteria were non-motile, growing only on the stab line. The proteins in the peptone broth were degraded to ammonia signifying that this bacterium is an ammonifer. Nitrification was also confirmed with the bacteria oxidizing the NH3 and NH4+ in the broths to NO2- and NO3. Denitrification however, did not occur; NO3 was not reduced. The addition of H2O2 led to bubbling as it reacted with catalase present in the cells. Optimal environmental conditions were found to be 22Â °C, pH of 5 and 0% salinity. Between the temperatures of 4, 15, 22 and 54Â °C, growth was strongest at 22Â °C, then 15 and wea kest at 37 and 4Â °C . Growth at pH was only slightly stronger than at pH 7 but substantially stronger than at pH 3 and 9 (refer to table 2). Growth in salinity was best at 0% and decreased with .05%, 2% and 5% respectively. Table 2: Growth of bacterium 1 at various pH based on absorbance levels at 580nm pH Bacterial Growth 3 .227 5 .692 7 .510 9 .147 Discussion Each of these steps aided in the possible identification of the bacterium as Azobacteraceae Azotobacter a genera of bacteria found in soil, water and roots (Bergeys Manual, 1984). Due to the thinner layer of peptidoglycan surrounded by a phospholipid outer membrane as opposed to a thick external layer of peptidoglycan this bacterium stained Gram negative (Prescot, Harley and Klein 2005). Of vital importance for identification was the presence of catalase, an enzyme present in aerobic bacteria that breaks down the toxic byproduct of electron transport: H2O2 (Wang et al. 2008). The search to identify Bacterium 1 began with these two broad criteria: Gram negative and aerobic respiration. This particular bacterium was non-motile, the bacterium grew only along the stab line in the SIM deep rather than spreading throughout the medium. This turned out to be an important factor while identifying as it as Azotobacter which contains both motile and non-motile bacteria (Bergeys Manual, 1984). T hese three qualities alone pointed in the direction of Azotobacter; the biochemical and environmental tests served to confirm that Bacterium 1 was indeed Azotobacter by matching the characteristics of this particular genera to the bacterium. Nitrification was a common characteristic between the two and was confirmed to occur in Bacterium 1 when the ammonia broth was oxidized to nitrite and nitrite was oxidized to nitrate (Bergeys Manual, 1984). Denitrification however, did not occur the nitrate was left intact and un-reduced. Ammonification, the breakdown of nitrogen containing compounds to ammonia, was also a common characteristic of Bacterium 1 and Azotobacter (Bergeys Manual, 1984, Roberts, 2008). Although the test for motility in the SIM deep was positive, the sulfur cycle test in the SIM had a negative result. The sulfur containing compounds were not reduced by the bacterium to produce H2S and, this result even as a negative, was an important factor in identification because Azotobacter also does not reduce sulfur (Bergeys Manual, 1984, Roberts, 2008). Bergeys Manual (1984) classifies Azotobacter as a heterotroph and, similarly Bacterium 1 was identified as a heterotroph when Iodine was added to the streak plate con taining starch and no color change occurred in the area under and around the colony. This was an indication of the bacterium breaking down and metabolizing the starch. Finally, the optimal environmental conditions of both Bacterium 1 and Azotobactera were found to be very similar. The optimal conditions were stated as: pH of 4.8 8.5, temperature of 15 37ËÅ ¡C and low salinity (Bergeys Manual, 1984). Bacterium 1 had very similar environmental conditions of: pH of 5, 22ËÅ ¡C and salinity of 0% NaCl. Considering the nitrifying and ammonifiying qualities of the Azotobacter, this bacterium plays an important role in the nitrogen cycle by breaking down proteins and converting the nitrogen into a form that can then be used by other organisms (Butenschoen, Marhan and Scheu, 2007, Cakmakci et al. 2006). Azotobacter, as one of the more common nitrifying soil microbes, is known to produce a great amount of usable Nitrogen, and therefore is closely linked to plant growth and health (Cakmakci et al. 2006, Prescot, Harley and Klein 2005). Interestingly, although many nitrifying organisms hold a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, providing Nitrogen in exchange for nutrients, Azotobacter, in particular, does not (Prescot, Harley and Klein 2005). Azotobacter also carries out starch hydrolysis, and therefore aids in the decomposition of organic matter in soil and the mineralization process (Smith and Smith, 2001). The identification of Bacterium 1 as Azobacteraceae Azotobacter is not definite and several other tests would have required in order to prove this statement as true. One test which would have been very helpful would have been a test for cyst formation; a key characteristic of the Azotobacter (Bergeys Manual, 1984, Prescot, Harley and Klein 2005). The Azotobacter are not rhizobacteria and therefore it would have been appropriate if there were some way of observing the bacteria in their natural habitat. In addition, the tests that were carried out had limitations to the amount of information that could have been gleaned from the results. The nitrification, ammonification, and denitrification tests were based on a simple color change, and there was no way of telling the process by which these functions, if present, occurred, nor were the tests specific to the concentration of the compounds present. All of these tests and techniques could also have been subjected to error, for example, m easurement errors under the microscope, errors in serial dilutions and even, contamination of cultures. From a simple compost soil sample it was possible to isolate and subculture a single bacterium species. Using various biochemical tests such as, tests for nitrification, ammonification, denitrification and the sulfur cycle, it was possible to determine the characteristic metabolic functions of the organism. These results, in addition to observation of cell and colony morphology, especially Gram staining, enabled the identification of the bacterium as Azobacteraceae Azotobacter.

The Relevance Today of A Jury of Her Peers Essay -- A Jury of Her Peer

In "A Jury of Her Peers," Susan Glaspell illustrates many social standards women experienced at the turn of the century. She allows the reader to see how a woman's life was completely ruled by social laws, and thus by her husband. Glaspell also reveals the ignorance of the men in the story, in particular the sheriff and the county attorney. I think some examples are rather extreme, but in Glaspell's day, they would have probably been common. Women did not have many rights at the turn of the century. What few rights and freedoms they did have were dominated by social standards. They were expected to cater to their husbands' wishes and commands. I think their society oppressed them more often than their own husbands did. A good example of this in "A Jury of Her Peers" is Martha Hale. Lewis Hale treats his wife as an equal privately, but does not treat her as an equal in public. When Mrs. Hale attempts to interrupt her husband as he tells the county attorney what he experienced in the Wright household she does not treat him as a master, but as an equal (Glaspell 260). Clearly she is not afraid of him. Many women at this time would have never even attempted to distract or interrupt their husband while they talked. Clearly defined gender roles are prevalent throughout "A Jury of Her Peers." Men are supposed to work outside of the home, and women are supposed to work inside the home. Neither the men nor the women seem to appreciate the other's wo...

Summary The war on obesity is a big fat flop

Exercise is not a useful way to lose weight, but it strengthen physical activity. After two decades, the war on obesity is still stagnant. Response Joanne Luscious' (2013) article Poverty making Canadians sick, says report and Margaret Weenie's article, (2012) The war on obesity is a big fat flop, were written a few years ago. Both articles focus on healthy issues and believe that poverty cause people's healthy issues, the government should help people solve that, and it will take a long time to improve.In Johannes article, the difference with Margarita's is she more follows the issues on children and old people, and she doesn't discuss only one sickness, but Margaret article focus on one illness that is obesity. Furthermore, Joanne expresses her opinions erectly, she makes her statement which is poverty makes people sick by a report from Canadian Medical Association at the beginning of the article. Like Ottawa, people who are poorer get sick because they buy cheaper fast food instea d of expensive nutritious food. Second, there is not supermarket near by their communities.Third, they don't have a house in fine condition. On the other hand, Margaret also point directly that poverty lead to people get obesity, and both articles believe that environmental facilities in communities have to be developed and people should live in a healthy condition. For example, there should have willable groceries around the neighborhoods, and people can buy healthy food such as beans, vegetables and meat rather than they buy harmful fast food. If people do not live in safe houses, and its might cause more serious issues.They might have mental healthy issues, and it rise suicide rates. Joanne and Margaret think that the government should make policies to help poor people, make sure them access In China, poverty cause the issues more serious than Canada's, because China is developing country, and its social welfare cannot effectively save people who live in poverty. Poverty also For instance, people who live in a mountainous area in northwest China are suffering by food and disease because there don't have any food store, the condition of the medical care service is uncultured.

A Business Report on Artin Child Care Company - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1407 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Business Essay Type Descriptive essay Topics: Child Care Essay Did you like this example? Executive summary Artin Child Care Company provides day services from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. They care for children from infants to preschools children. IT provides safe and convenient place for kids to improve their skills under supervision of expert people. Artin Child Care Company intends to provide high quality services by hiring expert staff. The company provides organic foods to kids and piano class and swimming class for kids above 2 years old. Company’s aim is to enhance their position in north London child day care market by providing their employees with an honest and supportive working environment, where each employee can devote themselves to providing excellent service to the customers. Parents will be sure that their kids are in safe place which improves kids’ skills. Business Introduction Company background: Artin Child Care is a new company intending to enter the child daycare business. The company concept was developed over a period of one month by several business associates having many years of experience in the child daycare industry. The two owners decided to establish this company and provide higher quality in compare with other child care companies in the aria. Shareholders are educated in child psychology and business. The Child Care Company serves organic healthy food and hold swimming and painting classes, piano courses and hand craft classes. Product and service: Artin Child Care is a new established company which has two shareholders who decided to provide day services to infants to preschool kids (Maximum 6 years old). The company is located close to university and it is a good opportunity to absorb customers who study in that university and have kids. The hour work of company is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Therefore employee parents can use this service as well. The services include indoor games, outdoor games, swimming pool, piano classes, painting classes, hand craft classes and food. Size of the business, office equipment and personnel: There is a 1,800 sq. ft. house in a quiet, residential neighborhood. The yard is fully fenced in, to ensure no one can either come in or wander away. The yard will be furnished with safe, entertaining toys; some sand ground that kids can play safe. It has a swimming pool on the second floor as well. The house is equipped for serving meals and rainy-day’s activities. It also contains toys, games, and books for the entertainment of the children. The company is fully furnished with sofas, beds, TV, closets and it has fully equipped kitchen with two chefs. There is five staff that works with kids; each staff is responsible for six kids. The company hired two swimming instructors (one of them is life guard), one piano instructor, and one hand craft instructor. The total number of staff with two cleaners and one manager is sixteen but some of them work hourly. Staffs who deal with kids are mature and educated and have first-aid cert ificate. Organizational Plan Ownership and shareholders: Artin Child Care is owned by John Adams and Suzy Sians. Objective In the next 12 months the company intends to open for business and to implement a targeted advertising campaign. The company anticipates 10 percent annual revenue growth and at the end of five years the company anticipates gross revenue of  £250,000 annually. Company management structure Artin Child Care is managed by a team of individuals consisting of all of the ownership partners. All partners participate in managing the company. Experience and training of each of the company owners and principals John is one of the founding owners of Artin Child Care. Suzy has worked for 20 years in child care and daycare. He spent the last 8 years managing a local daycare. During this period he also completed a business management certificate at State College. Organizational timeline: A remodeling plan for the chosen location will be compl ete by May 1. Funding needs to be in place by June 1 in order to take advantage of the current construction season. Remodeling and renovations will begin June 1 and will be completed by August 15. Artin Child Care will open for business on first of September.) Company asset Artin Child Care has purchased some new furnishings and fixtures with a resale value of  £15,000. Primary product of company Artin Child Care will offer day care services for infants through preschool as well as after school care for ages 6 through 12. Varsity Child Care will provide fully certified staff and a wide variety of educational and fun activities. MARKETING PLAN Target market: The target market for Artin Child Care is the young families living in the university district. Varsity Child Care will target young parents going to university as well as young parents working in the local area. Business location: The location for Varsity Child Care has ample parking and is ideally s uited within the university district to serve the target market. Established custiomers: Although Artin Child Care does not have an existing customer base, market analysis indicates that Artin Child Care should enjoy strong sales from the identified markets. Pricing strategy: Artin Child Care will set pricing according to government guidelines. Based on these revenue guidelines and staffing and rental costs, The company will require average monthly revenues of  £18,000 to break even. Advertising strategy: Artin Child Care will use newspaper advertising in order to help grow its standing in the marketplace. Who are your competitors: There no other day care facilities in the immediate area. Young families that live in the local community drive a significant distance to make use of day care facilities in other nearby communities. Compare competitors strategies: The company does not have competitors in the immediate community but will have to work hard to show value and commitment in order to gain customers and market share from existing out-of-community competitors. This can be done through newspaper advertising and also through very inexpensive on-campus advertising. Artin Child Care must attract a loyal customer base by providing children with a caring and supportive environment. Strength of your product or business: Artin Child Care has selected a location that is quick and convenient for customers in the university and surrounding district. The company has also made a commitment to providing a supportive and caring environment that is critical in this market. Weakness of your product or business: Success forArtin Child Care depends on providing caring, supportive service. It is important that Artin is able to retain quality staff. Artin will develop and maintain human resources policies designed to find and retain good staff. Opportunities of your product: The university student body is projected to increase f rom 12,000 to 17,000 in the next five years. In addition the proportion of mature students is also expected to increase. These changes will mean an increase in demand and management is making plans to meet this demand. Threats that might affect your venture: Artin Child Care is at risk from other larger competitors moving into the local market. It must respond to this threat by building a loyal customer base by providing a supportive and caring environment for its customers. Daily operation: The child care will be open from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M Monday through Friday. At this time, operations on weekends or statutory holidays is not being considered. A normal business day will include greeting children as they are dropped off, providing appropriate and engaging activities and providing snacks for the children. Operational facilities: Artin Child Care has selected a 2,200 square foot facility with a capacity for 30 children. The facility consists of a small storeroom, a k itchen and a large activities area. Staffing requirements: Artin Child Care will employ a care staff of three full-time staff to start and one part-time bookkeeper. Care staff will be increased as needed to ensure the proper staff-to-child ratio. The business will be managed by the owners. Suppliers: The company requires very little in the form of daily supplies except for ready-made snacks and ingredients to provide hot meals. Varsity is in negotiations with a local food wholesaler to supply products and ingredients for hot lunches according to a rotating menu. Company Capital requirement: Child Care company requires  £35,000 to cover the costs of renovation at the selected location.  £25,000 is also required to cover salaries and rent for the initial startup period. The owners will contribute  £30,000 to cover these costs. Net Capital Requirement:  £150,000. Company capital repayment plan: All debt obligations related to this venture will be repa id within five years. Capital contributed by the owners will be considered capital contributions and will not be repaid. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "A Business Report on Artin Child Care Company" essay for you Create order