symbiosis, or mutually beneficial co-existence of two or more organisms, has been known for a long time.But this does not change the fact that many of the nuances of this phenomenon has not yet been studied and are poorly understood.
first time this amazing natural phenomenon discovered a Swiss scientist Shvendener in 1877.At the time, he had just studied lichens.To his profound amazement it turned out that these organisms are the building formed colonies of fungi and unicellular algae.The term "symbiosis" in the scientific literature appeared somewhat later.Specifically, it proposed in 1879 de Paris.
with the concept of people figured out rather quickly, but the question remains with trophism.How do eat some kinds of symbiotic organisms?In the case of the same lichens it was clear that algae live by photosynthesis, but that's where the fungus receives nutrients component?If you also do not know the answer to that question, we suggest you read our article.
General
Modern scientists have discovered that the symbionts - are organisms that feed on (mostly) the same as the dominant body consumes.However, it is very rude and not very correct definition, and therefore should describe some of the most interesting cases in detail.
You should be able to give some examples of your own.Thus, the beneficial bacteria to humans in large quantity are available in acidophilus yogurt.People give it just a great environment, and the bacteria provide the perfect functioning of our digestive tract.
By the way, took advantage of this well-known Kutushov.Symbionts and culture which he sells, provides a significant improvement in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, even in the elderly, who are often seen with this big problem.
algae as the main symbionts
Biologists have long found that without the participation of the algae can not do any one pair of symbiotic organisms.And it's not just about water, but about purely terrestrial organisms.They manage to enter into mutually beneficial relationships with each other and with bacteria, fungi, multicellular organisms.Please be aware that the list of algae, which are capable of symbiosis is rather limited.
So, mutually beneficial relationship with mushrooms can install a maximum of five representatives from seven genera, and historically, that by the symbionts are: Nostoc (Nostoc), gleokapsa (Gloeocapsa), stsitonema (Scytonema) and stigonema (Stigonema).
about algae and sloths
Many people know that in the distant Amazon jungle lives is remarkable in all respects animal.It glorified their slowness and deliberation.Of course, we are talking about sloths.That's just not all aware of the fact that the color of these animals (dirty green, brown) appears as a result of the natural pigmentation of the coat, and thanks to symbiotic algae.
They live directly in the fur of sloths and fed by normal photosynthesis.The slothful because of them received excellent camouflage coloring.Frankly, scientists have been unable to reach a unanimous conclusion that this coexistence gives himself algae.In this case, symbionts - are organisms that feed by substances produced by themselves in the process of photosynthesis.
Unusual forms of relationships with other organisms, algae
Lichens and sloths - an example of long-term stable relationship between the two forms of life.But not always symbiotic algae, bacteria and other organisms to form such a strong and lasting alliances.Thus, they often settle on the surface of a living organism.Of course, about the full symbiosis in which case the question.This phenomenon is called epifitirovaniem.The smallest film of algae often covers not only the shells of mollusks, and the body surface of some water birds and marine animals.For example, algae epiphytes settle in large quantities, even on giant whales.
Epiphytes - symbionts or parasites?
Scientists still can not agree on your point of view should be considered the relationship between epiphyte and multicellular organisms.Some believe that this phenomenon is best taken as a primitive, the primary version of the symbiotic relationship.
fairness, to agree with this point of view difficult.Epiphytes, and indeed do not cause direct damage to organisms at the surface where they settle, and that's just good (visible anyway) they are also not observed.
harm of epiphytes
small aquatic insects and mites, whose legs stuck to densely epiphytes become extremely slow as rapidly melting they simply can not physically.The higher the water plants whose leaves are "paid attention" unicellular algae, often simply die from lack of sunlight.Incidentally, with this phenomenon probably face every aquarist.We can say that in this case the symbionts - parasites, as paradoxical as it may sound.
But!The phenomenon epifitizma studied very, very bad.It is possible that these relationships actually benefit not only algae, but multicellular organisms.The mystery is still waiting for its researcher.And what symbionts feed if live inside cells of higher animals or plants?
intracellular symbionts
not so rare symbionts can live inside the cells of its "owner".If we talk about the same algae, they are called endophytes.They form an endosymbiosis, which has a much more complicated phenomena described above.Between partners in this case has already formed a close, strong and lasting bond.Their main difference lies in the fact that these symbionts-identified simple only by sufficiently detailed and complex cytological studies.
Important!Scientists have relatively long time have proved that the major cellular organelles - the mitochondria in animals and chloroplasts in plants - were formed in ancient times, it was thanks to a symbiotic relationship.Once they were independent organisms.
At some point, these intracellular symbionts moved to fully "settled" in the existence of a living cell, and then do become dependent on it, handing control of their genome in its core (partly).So we can safely say that all currently known forms of life that seek to mutually existence, have all chances to once become one with those organisms with which they now exist partnerships.
As symbionts penetrate into the cell?
as microorganisms are in the cells of higher animals and plants?Some species have specially designed machines.And often they are not near the symbiont, and the "host country".There is a small aquatic fern - azolla (Azolla).At the bottom of the cavity of its leaves are narrow passages that lead to cavities, specializing in the mucus.That's something these cavities and get blue-green algae Annaba (Anahaena azollae), which swim in the cavity with the flow of water.
fern grows, canals overgrown with algae remain in complete isolation.Scientists have long tried to create on the basis azolla colonies of other species, but any success they have never reached.It's safe to say that the formation of symbiotic relationship is possible only in case of complete coincidence of a number of parameters.In addition, such an alliance is different pronounced species specificity.
Thus, symbionts - are organisms that feed due to their species-specific processes (nitrogen-fixing bacteria), shared valuable substances with a partner, but need certain conditions that can only provide it.
What is beneficial coexistence?
note that inside the cavities azolla is a lot of nitrogen compounds.Blue-green algae, which get into the organism fern not only actively assimilate them, but completely lose the ability to self-fixation of atmospheric nitrogen.Organisms symbiotic reciprocate by providing some ferns oxygen and organic matter.
should be noted that these symbionts not undergo virtually no change in its internal organization.However, so far, things are not always Intracellular Symbiosis.Most often, those algae that enter into mutually beneficial cooperation with other organisms differ complete reduction of the cell membrane.For example, this happens at the blue-green algae that form a symbiotic relationship with certain types of sea sponges.
Termites and intracellular symbionts
relatively long time, all the scientists were in disbelief, thinking about the processes of digestion termites.As the biological species manage to thrive, feeding on only one timber?More recently, it was still found that for the direct processing of wood pulp respond tiny symbiotic bacteria, which are symbiotic protozoa that live in the intestines of termites themselves.Such is the complicated but very effective scheme.
That's just the researchers still do not understand how insects take a sufficient amount of power: after all, cellulose in any case is not very nutritious.Furthermore, they require an enormous amount of nitrogen.This volume in the wood of trees is not digested by definition.Recently, scientists from Japan have come to the phenomenal results that they have been obtained by a careful study of the genome symbiotic flagellates living in the digestive tract of termites.
As it turned out in their genome?
There's a lot of interesting things.Specifically, scientists have been able to detect not only the genes that are responsible for production of the enzyme for cellulose destruction, but also those that are responsible for nitrogen fixation.The latter is a complex process of binding atmospheric nitrogen to form those of its forms, which can be assimilated with vegetable or animal body.This is extremely important, since thus obtained nitrogen is used termites and flagellates for protein synthesis.
Simply put, in the case considered symbionts - are organisms that feed on wood consumed by termites.Symbionts symbionts (nitrogen-fixing bacteria flagellates) are responsible for nitrogen fixation, without which it can not live nor the termite nor his "guests."
Legumes and symbionts
Since we were talking about nitrogen-fixing bacteria, can not be not be said of leguminous plants.They remember everyone who studied botany, differ strikingly high in vegetable protein.This also has long been exceedingly surprised scientists.Beans managed to form a sufficient amount of protein, even in those circumstances where the soil was virtually no nitrogen!
turned out that his arrival provides the body symbionts.Yes, it was all the same nitrogen-fixing bacteria, comfortable living in root nodules of legumes.They extract the precious nitrogen from the air, turning it into a highly digestible form.
Commercial use symbionts
not surprising that doctors have long cultivated good bacteria to humans.First, it was in a production of yogurt and other milk products, but research out today a whole new level.
particularly known today have become symbionts Kutushov.What it is?Currently, under this trademark are sold fermented culture organisms that improve digestion.
All symbionts Kutushov (more precisely, their culture) are based solely on the ancient Mongolian recipes dairy products.So they are really able to improve your overall health and even appearance.
Developed Kutushov their teachings.Symbionts in the cultures are carefully selected, they provide the human body with valuable amino acids and trace elements.It is due to this, and achieved positive results.
