Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Domain: Bacteria
Kingdom: Bacteria
Phylum: Firmicutes
Class: Bacilli
Order: Lactobacillales
Family: Lactobacillaceae
Genus: Lactobacillus
Species: rhamnosus
All of the organisms in the Domain Bacteria are unicellular, prokaryotic, and reproduce through binary fission. Lactobacillus rhamnosus are unicellular, prokaryotic, and reproduce asexually. So far, it is very possible that the organism belongs to the Domain Bacteria, but we are still on the basics. Let’s dig a little deeper now. All the organisms in this domain do not have a nervous system, but are motile. This organism does not have a nervous system and is also motile. Okay, so now there is a very likely possibility that Lactobacillus rhamnosus belongs in the domain Bacteria, but let’s go one step further. The organisms in this domain can live pretty much anywhere, and this particular organism is able to thrive in stomach acid and bile, something that the other domains are not able to do [10]. Although the organism shares many characteristics with the Domain Bacteria, there is no information that really confirms where this organism belongs. The following fact will confirm once and for all, that Lactobacillus rhamnosus does belong in the Domain Bacteria. Organisms in the Domain bacteria come in three forms: 1) Spherical and found in colonies 2) Rods found individually or in a chain and 3) Individual, helically shaped [10]. Option number two perfectly describes the organism. Lactobacillus rhamnosus are small, narrow, and appear like an oval, or a rod. These organisms are also found in chains, just as the description of the Domain Bacteria predicts. It is clear that the Domain Bacteria and the organism Lactobacillus rhamnosus have so many similarities, they must be related.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus is a very beneficial organism and is often used as probiotics. They are about 3 Mpb big, which is actually very small. They are so small that they are only visible under a microscope. They appear similar to an oval, due to their long, round, and narrow structure. This organism lives in the digestive tract or the urinary tract [11]. L. rhamnosus is able to prevent harmful bacteria from growing in order to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria within the stomach, which is why it is very beneficial that the organism is able to thrive in stomach acid and bile [11], [12]. This organism has many medical uses, from preventing diarrhea, treating Bacterial Vaginosis, stopping peanut allergies, and even preventing respiratory infections [12].
As stated above, the organism can stop harmful bacteria from growing, thus creating a perfect balance of bacteria. For instance, if harmful, unwanted bacteria are growing in the stomach area, Lactobacillus rhamnosus can come and make sure that no more of these bacteria can grow. Other functions of the organism include balancing microflora in the intestines, and colonizing the tract for digestion [12]. Overall, these organisms are very beneficial to the body and can have extremely positive effects.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Domain: Bacteria
Kingdom: Bacteria
Phylum: Firmicutes
Class: Bacilli
Order: Lactobacillales
Family: Streptococcaceae
Genus: Streptococcus
Species: pneumoniae
Streptococcus pneumoniae, a pathogenic organism, fits perfectly under the domain Bacteria. It is a unicellular prokaryote, does not have a nervous system, and reproduces asexually, as do all the other organisms in the domain bacteria. In this domain, many of the organisms are found in chains, or colonies [10], and so is the S. pneumoniae [13]. Although there are many similarities between the organism and the domain, there is no way to ensure it belongs here so far. However, there is one fact that guarantees that S.pneumoniae is in the domain Bacteria. All of the organisms in this domain have peptidoglycan inside the cell wall [1], and the other two domains do not have this in the cell wall. S.pneumoniae indeed does have peptidoglycan in its cell wall [13], confirming that it cannot be in the domain Archaea or Eukarya, and must be in the domain Bacteria. All other facts are unnecessary because with this one little piece of information, the placement of the organism is clear.
The Streptococcus pneumoniae is a microscopic organism with a diameter 0.5 to 1.25 micrometers long [13]. They are circular and usually found in pairs, however, some have been found individually. They live in environments ranging from 30-35 degrees Celsius. Inside the body they can be found in the nasal passages, throat, and within the respiratory tract [13]. It is there, in the respiratory tract, that the disease pneumonia is found.
These disease causing organisms have a bad effect on the body, causing pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infections, and meningitis [13], [14]. All of these types of infections are called pneumococcal infections, because they are caused by the pathogen S.pneumoniae. An infection occurs when the pathogen enters, reproduces, and spreads throughout the body. The most common type of disease from S.pneumoniae is pneumonia, hence the name. When the organism enters the body it lives in the respiratory tract. This can cause side effects including coughing, fever, pain in the chest, and green mucus [13]. The disease pneumonia is most common in children and elderly, but can be prevented with a vaccine. If the disease becomes very advanced and serious, death can occur [14]. Bronchitis, when the bronchial tubes become inflamed, and meningitis, brain and spinal cord membrane inflammation, can also occur from this pathogen. Both of these infections are preventable and usually do not result in death.
