Prokaryotes Role in Wide Range of Metabolic Activities Crucial For Maintaining the Biosphere - Essay Example

Prokaryotes’ Role in Wide Range of Metabolic Activities Crucial For Maintaining the Biosphere Introduction Prokaryotes are defined as groups of organisms which are primarily characterized by the lack of true nucleus, and with some membrane of cell components.1 Prokaryotes are unicellular with very tiny cells in size. Despite the size, they still contain all structural elements necessary for their survival and multiplication.2 Because they are smaller in size, they possess bigger surface area to volume ratio. They also reproduce asexually that is through binary fusion or bidding. Prokaryotes may be considered to be simple organisms; however, they have a list of macromolecules comprising one of the less complex bacteria known as Escherichia. This bacterium synthesizes cells from glucose to ions through some meaningful steps.3 Prokaryotes role in agricultural husbandry Prokaryotes are considered of high significant in agriculture. They play a major role in the utility of biochemical cycles through maintenances of soil fertility and soil structures.4 This is done by either interacting directly or indirectly with plants. At plough, the bacteria in the soil are not evenly distributed, so they aid the components by forming extracellular polymeric substances.5 Industrial production For a number of years before modernization, food preservation was done through microbial fermentation.6 Such methods were used to preserve food substances like cheese, flavor enhancement and alcoholic beverage production. Fermentation process goes through five basic stages. Despite the absences of biological knowledge during that era, the biology behind this concept is that living organisms are the agents behind fermentation. This forms the basis of industrial production process of chemicals like acetone and butane. The technique paved way for the development of organic solvents. The further development of this has led to exploitation of other possibilities of metabolites production.7 Nitrogen fixation Nitrogen is considered a vital element to plants; however, it is available and abundant in the atmosphere as a non-compatible form to the plants because it is gas in nature. For it to be transformed into the required state, the facilitation has to be done with the aid of bacteria. This involves the work of the prokaryotes.8 Prokaryotes at this state live around the aquatic environment of the plant, in the soil and around the roots. In essence, plants become the terrestrial producers of nitrogen. When plants are eaten by herbivores, the nitrogen is consummated into their body, which is further synthesized into constituent of nucleic acids. The acids are then broken down during digestion. This overall cycle, which is propounded by prokaryotes, is teemed as the nitrogen cycle.9 Facilitation of chemical recycling Prokaryotes form a basic element in the life of plants. Every chemical is a nutrient to cycle in the biosphere. The prokaryotes then decompose elements from the atmosphere into inorganic molecules. The decomposed substances are further broken down to release carbon and nitrogen into the environment allowing them to be absorbed back by the plants.10 In their role as decomposers, prokaryotes utilize some forms of carbon for energy to make nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. This overall cycle maintains continuous flow of nutrients into the atmosphere. The most important part is carbon fixation, where carbon dioxide is finally converted to form organic molecules.11 This process of recycling continues, as long as, the world exists. Ecological importance Prokaryotes are essential to the global ecosystem. In marine life, for instance, the marine bacteria produces substances which forms the bacterial strip coating of particles of silica essential for dissolving silicon into oceans as nutrients. This further facilitates the photochemical reduction of iron during photosynthesis.12 The overall cycle is essential for the survival of sea fish, which utilizes photosynthesis as part of the ecology, and in turn becomes the essential part for the human race. Medical value Some of the prokaryotes have got medical importance in human. Prokaryotes like, actinomycetes, produces antibiotics while some are used in the manufacture of drugs. This process is termed as genetic engineering. Moreover, these procedures form the basis for production of hormones antibiotics and other products. Such drugs could be used to fight diseases like syphilis, pneumonia and tuberculosis.13 Similarly, prokaryotes are found in the gut of most herbivores, their availability aids the secretion of cellulose which facilitates the digestion of cellulose from plants necessary for production of energy.14 Use in the research environment Scientists have learnt the use of prokaryotes capabilities in metabolic reactions and scientific research functions. Most research concerning metabolism and molecular aspects of biology have been developed based on the knowledge of prokaryotes. Also, more vast application is on the mining industry where prokaryotes are used in the extraction of copper sulfides from metal ores, while some of them can eventually extract gold from ore. Anaerobic converts solid matters into sludge while aerobic microbes take effect on liquid wastes. Prokaryotes presences in soil substances play a vital role in reduction of human waste through decomposition. This has led to the development of ecological friendly recycling plants across the globe.15 Cloning of genes Prokaryotes are widely used in gene cloning because of their simplicity and tiny in nature. A bacterium enables the use in biotechnical laboratories to help move gene substances around during cloning. In human, Escherichia coli are best used for cloning and storage of different parts of the genome. In plants, plasmid found in agro bacterium is used to enhance production of traits.16 Some of the prokaryotes can live under extreme conditions. These organisms are found on hot environments like hot springs, under the sea, or deep down in the stomach. They require adaptive nature that prevents them from getting denatured in such kind of environments. Some of these organisms provide important substances like Tag polymerase, the DNA polymerase that can be enhanced into large scale production.17 Conclusion In a general sense, prokaryotes are amazingly abundant and of different variety. Moreover, they are found in most parts of the world for making meals and evaluating the natural process. Their absence would create a devastating and disastrous effect. Bibliography: Bennett, P and Grinsted, J., Methods in Microbiology. / Volume 21, Plasmid technology. (London; San Diego: Academic Press, 1988). Claus, H., et al., Prokaryotic Cell Wall Compounds: Structure and Biochemistry. (Heidelberg: Springer, 2010). Dworkin, M., Symbiotic Associations, Biotechnology. (New York, NY: Springer, 2006). Schlege, G and Drews, J., Biology of the Prokaryotes. (Stuttg art; New York: Thieme; Malden, MA: Distributed in the USA by Blackwell Science, 1999). Read More