Bacteria Cells Reveal More Complexity
Here is another example about how scientists think they have some things figured out, then a new discovery shows that the learning continues. In biology, it was thought that cells were simple things. Advances in technology and further research reveals amazing complexity in cells. When a cell is referred to as simple, it should mean that it is simple in comparison to the cells of other organisms, such as bacteria cells. They are susceptible to attacks from viruses that change their genomes. A method of protection was discovered. E. coli, Flickr / National Institutes of Health ( CC BY-NC 2.0 ) Bacteria get help from an extremely common molecule called polyphosphate . These molecules are found in rocks containing phosphorus. Polyphosphates are used in fertilizers, small amounts are added in water treatment so slow corrosion, and they are important in our own blood coagulation. Polyphosphates are used by bacterial to "silence" gene expression to help protect themselves against d...