Microbiology

Gel Filtration Chromatography

Gel filtration chromatography is one of the chromatography methods that facilitate particles separation based on molecular size. Size exclusion, molecular sieve and gel permeation chromatography are the alternative names of gel filtration chromatography. The porous gel matrix is the stationary phase that contains a hydrated, sponge-like material. Oppositely, the buffer solution or aqueous phase functions …

Gel Filtration Chromatography Read More »

Macrophages

Macrophages differentiate from monocytes. They are specialized immune cells that primarily recognize the foreign particles and cell remains through toll-like receptors. Then, they phagocytose foreign particles by amoeboid movements through phagocytosis. Macrophages also play a functional role in presenting foreign particles to the T cells and thereby causing the destruction of potential pathogens. They activate …

Macrophages Read More »

T Cell

T cell or thymus cell lymphocyte is one of the immune cells, which grows in the thymus gland. It performs a significant role in stimulating an adaptive immune response. T lymphocytes are different from the other immune cells in having T-cell receptors or TCRs on their cell surface. TCRs exist as a heterodimer protein complex …

T Cell Read More »

Difference Between Cyclic and Noncyclic Photophosphorylation

The difference between cyclic and noncyclic photophosphorylation is mainly due to the following factors: Type of photosynthesis: Cyclic photophosphorylation occurs during anoxygenic photosynthesis, while noncyclic photophosphorylation occurs in oxygenic photosynthesis. ATP synthesis: ATP synthesis during the cyclic electron flow of anoxygenic photosynthesis is known as cyclic photophosphorylation. ATP production during the noncyclic electron flow of …

Difference Between Cyclic and Noncyclic Photophosphorylation Read More »

Reaction Centre

Reaction centre refers to the site of photosynthetic reactions. Chlorophyll and pheophytin are the pigments found in a reaction centre. It comprises protein pigments that mediates light absorption and excitation of an electron to the higher energy state. Photosynthetic organisms like green plants, many bacteria and algae have membrane-bound protein complexes or reaction centres that …

Reaction Centre Read More »

Prions

Prions are the sub-viral agents, which function as proteinaceous infectious particles without a genomic RNA or DNA. They are the mysterious pathogens whose accumulation within neurons cause severe fatal and transmissible neurodegenerative diseases in humans and animals. Prions solely possess PrP proteins. The term prion was coined by a scientist named Stanley Prusiner. Prion diseases …

Prions Read More »

Viroids

Viroids are sub-viral agents, which exist as small infectious particles. They are somewhat similar to viruses but possesses some unique properties in their evolutionary origin, morphology and functions. In 1917, Diener was the first scientist who discovered and termed the non-bacterial infectious plant pathogens as “Viroids”. Potato spindle tuber viroids (PSTV) was the first viroid …

Viroids Read More »

Tobacco Mosaic Virus

Tobacco mosaic virus or TMV belongs to the Tobamovirus group, which causes mosaic-like symptoms on tobacco leaves. TMV is a plant virus that disseminates via artificial inoculation rather than insect vectors. It was the first virus identified and the first virus ever purified. Since the late 19th century, it was believed that a non-bacterial infectious …

Tobacco Mosaic Virus Read More »

Bacterial Growth Factors

Bacterial growth factors primarily include temperature, pH, salt concentration, light source, nutritional and gaseous requirement etc. Microorganisms live in diverse natural habitats such as the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. The environmental and nutritional factors may favour or restrict the growth of microorganisms. Some microbes survive in extreme conditions or the changing environment, while few can …

Bacterial Growth Factors Read More »