The saprophytes they are organisms that obtain their energy from non-living matter in a state of decomposition. These living things interact with the environment on a microscopic level. Fungi, certain bacteria and water molds belong to this group..
Their role in the ecological balance is very important, since they are the first step in the disintegration process of non-living material. In many cases, only saprophytes are capable of metabolizing some compounds, turning them into reusable products.
In this way, these organisms return to the environment, in the form of free ions, the components of the debris. This allows to close the nutrient cycles.
Saprophytes are considered, within the trophic chain, as microconsumers. The reason is that they take their nutrients from a detrital mass, which has suffered the effects of decomposition..
Article index
Saprophytes are heterotrophs, because they obtain their energy from dead organic matter or detrital masses. From these decomposed materials, different compounds are extracted that are used to fulfill the vital functions of the organism..
These organisms absorb nutrients by osmosis. Here the concentration gradient of the substance, in two different media, plays an important role for the transport of nutrients..
Obtaining organic nutrients, in those organisms that are both osmotrophs and heterotrophs, depends on external digestion. In this case, the enzymes facilitate the degradation of the molecules.
The cells of fungi, bacteria, and mold have a strong cell wall. This is because they must withstand osmotic forces and cell growth forces. The wall is located external to the cell membrane.
Fungi have a cell wall composed of chitin. In algae, they are frequently built from glycoproteins and polysaccharides and, in some cases, from silicon dioxide..
The plasma membrane in saprophytic organisms has selective permeability. This allows only certain types of molecules or ions to pass through diffusion..
Some species of saprophytic fungi modify the pH of the environment. This is a specific feature of green (dematiaceous) fungi, which are part of the genus Penicillium.
Bacteria that belong to the genus Pseudomonas change the color of the medium where they are found. This is originally yellow and turns red due to the metabolizations carried out by the bacteria..
Saprophytes fulfill a very important function for the ecosystem; they are part of the organisms that close the natural cycle of matter. When organisms that have already completed their life cycle decompose, they obtain nutrients that are recycled, released and returned to the environment. There they are again at the disposal of other living beings.
The decomposed matter contains nutrients such as iron, calcium, potassium and phosphorus. These are essential for plant growth.
The cell wall of plants is made up of cellulose. This molecule is very difficult to be processed efficiently by the vast majority of organisms. However, fungi have a group of enzymes that allow them to digest this complex structure.
The end product of this process is simple carbohydrate molecules. Carbon dioxide is released into the environment, from where it is captured by plants as the main element of the photosynthetic process..
Many of the components of living beings can be degraded almost exclusively by saprophytes, such as lignin. This is an organic polymer found in the supporting tissues of plants and some algae..
Acidophilic bacteria can withstand high concentrations of some metals. The Thiobacillus ferrooxidans It has been used to detoxify metal ions in acidic water from metalliferous mines..
Secreted enzymes can participate in the process of reducing metal ions present in mine wastewater.
The bacteria Magnetospirillum magneticum produces magnetic minerals, such as magnetite. These form depositional remnants that are indicative of local environmental changes..
Archaeologists use these biomakers to establish the environmental history of the region.
Saprophytes can be divided into two groups:
The obligate saprophytes, which obtain their nutrients exclusively through the decomposition of lifeless organic matter. To the other group belong those organisms that are saprophytes only during a phase of their life, becoming facultative.
Saprophytes feed through a process called absorbent nutrition. In this, the nutritional substrate is digested thanks to the action of the enzymes secreted by the fungus, bacteria or mold. These enzymes are responsible for converting debris into simpler molecules.
This nutrition, also known as osmtrophy, occurs in several stages. First, the saprophytes secrete some hydrolytic enzymes that are responsible for hydrolyzing the large molecules of the debris, such as polysaccharides, proteins and lipids..
These molecules are unfolded into smaller ones. As a product of this process, soluble biomolecules are released. These are absorbed thanks to the different concentration gradients that exist of these elements, at the extracellular and cytoplasmic level..
After passing through the semipermeable membrane, the substances reach the cytoplasm. In this way the cells of the saprophyte can be nourished, thus allowing their growth and development..
Fungi have tubular structures called hyphae. They are formed by elongated cells, covered by a cell wall of chitin and grow into a mycelium..
The filaments develop, branching out between the stratum where it is found. There they secrete enzymes, among which is cellulase, and absorb the nutrients that are products of decomposition..
Saprophytes prefer humid environments, with not very high temperatures. These organisms need oxygen to perform their vital functions. In addition, to develop they need an environment with a neutral or slightly acidic pH.
Fungi can live on the vast majority of solid substrates, since their hyphae allow them to penetrate various strata. Bacteria can also be found in various environments, preferring fluid or semi-fluid media.
One of the natural habitats of bacteria is the human body. Several species of saprophytic bacteria are found in the intestines. They can also be found in plants, standing water, dead animals, manure, and decayed wood..
Mold is one of the main decomposing agents in fresh and salt water habitats.
These organisms are the main decomposing agents of wood, because this is a great source of cellulose. Your preference for wood is an aspect of great importance for ecology.
This predilection for wood is also a drawback, since they attack structures made of wood, such as the bases of houses, furniture, among others. This could have negative consequences for the wood industry.
Fallen leaves are a source of cellulose, making it an excellent medium for fungi to grow. These attack all types of leaves, although some species, such as the Gymnopus perforans, live on certain types of leaves, rejecting the rest.
This is the nutrient-rich vegetable mass, which is washed up on the beaches. It is made up of algae and some land plants that have fallen into the water. The fungi active in this medium are found in marine habitats.
One of these specimens is the Dendryphiella salina, which is generally found in association with fungi Marine sigmoid Y Acremonium fuci.
This material is rich in nutrients, causing fungi to colonize them quickly. Some species that proliferate in manure are the Coprinellus pusillulus and the Cheilymenia coprinaria.
The species of saprophytic fungi vary according to the stratum where they develop. Some examples of these specimens are:
-Manure: the species of the genera Coprinus, Stropharia, Anellaria, Cheilymenia, Y Pilobolus.
-Pastures: the Agaricus campestris, Agaricus squamulifer, Hygrocybe coccineto, Hygrocybe psittacina, Marasmius oreades and the Amanita vittadinii.
-Wood: Fomitopsis pinicola, Ganoderma pfeifferi, Oudemansiella mucida, Lentinus lepideus, species of turkey tails, oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus), Bolvitius vitellinus and the Polyporus arcularius.
-Lake basins: Mycena sanguinolenta, Inocybe lacera, Hygrocybe coccineocrenata, Cantharellus tubaeformis Y Ricknella fibula.
-Pyrophytes: Pyronema omphalodes, Pholiota carbonaria, Geopetalum carbonarius, Geopyxis carbonaria Y Morchella conica.
Mold is considered a member of the pseudo-fungi group. Among those classified as saprophytes, there are some species of the orders Saprolegniales and the Pythium.
The Escherichia coli it is associated with illnesses transmitted by contaminated food. The Zygomonas it is a bacteria that ferments glucose, producing alcohol. The Acetobacter oxidizes organic compounds and transforms them into another substance, lactic acid.
The Clostridium aceto-butylicum transforms carbohydrates into butyl alcohol. The Lactobacillus converts sugar into lactic acid. Canned foods are spoiled due to the action of Clostridium thermosaccharolyticium.
DDT has long been used to control some diseases, especially those transmitted by insects to humans. The use of this insecticide has been banned in many countries, due to its persistence in the environment and its powerful toxicity in animals..
Bioremedation proposes the use of microorganisms, with the intention of degrading the organic pollutants found in the environment. In this way they could be transformed into simpler and less dangerous compounds..
The feasibility of this strategy is high, since it has low cost, is accepted by the affected population, and can be carried out directly at the required site..
Chlorinated biphenyl compounds, such as DDT, are resistant to biological, chemical, or photolytic degradation. This is due to its molecular structure, which makes it persistent and polluting..
However, bioremedation proposes that these can be partially degraded by a group of bacteria, among which is Eubacterium limosum.
Numerous studies have proven the ability of these bacteria, and some fungi, to degrade DDT. This has a positive impact on the natural control of pests in crops..
Yet No Comments