Bacterial microcompartment facts for kids

A bacterial microcompartment is like a tiny, special room inside bacteria. It's made of a strong protein shell. This shell holds different enzymes, which are like tiny workers that help chemical reactions happen. These compartments are a bit like eukaryotic cell organelles, which are parts of cells with specific jobs. However, bacterial microcompartments don't have a plasma membrane and don't contain lipids (fats).

These tiny compartments are usually about 100 to 200 nanometres wide. That's super small! They are built from many interlocking proteins that fit together like puzzle pieces. Similar protein-filled compartments can also be found in eukaryotic cells, where they also help to organize enzymes.

What Are Bacterial Microcompartments?

Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are special structures found inside many types of bacteria. Think of them as small, organized factories within the bacterial cell. They help bacteria do important chemical jobs more efficiently.

How Do They Work?

The main job of a BMC is to keep certain chemical reactions separate from the rest of the cell. This is important because some reactions might produce harmful substances. The protein shell acts like a protective barrier. It lets useful chemicals in and out, but keeps the harmful ones contained.

Inside the BMC, enzymes work together in a sequence. This makes the chemical process much faster and more controlled. It's like having a specialized assembly line for specific tasks.

Types of Microcompartments

There are different kinds of bacterial microcompartments, each with a unique job:

• Carboxysomes: These are perhaps the most well-known type. They are found in bacteria that perform photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Carboxysomes help these bacteria capture carbon dioxide from the environment. This is a key step for them to make their own food.
• Metabolosomes: These BMCs help bacteria break down certain chemicals. For example, some metabolosomes help bacteria use chemicals like propanediol or ethanolamine as food sources. This is important for bacteria living in different environments.

Why Are They Important?

Bacterial microcompartments are very important for the survival and growth of many bacteria. They allow bacteria to:

• Be more efficient: By keeping enzymes close together, reactions happen faster.
• Protect the cell: They prevent harmful byproducts from spreading throughout the cell.
• Adapt to environments: They help bacteria use different types of food or survive in harsh conditions.

Scientists are very interested in BMCs. Understanding them could help us develop new ways to make useful chemicals or even design new medicines.

Images for kids

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  Generalized function schematic for experimentally characterized BMCs. (A) Carboxysome. (B) Metabolosome.

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  Electron micrographs showing alpha-carboxysomes from the bacterium Halothiobacillus neapolitanus: (A) arranged within the cell, and (B) intact upon isolation.

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  Electron micrograph of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 cell showing the carboxysomes as polyhedral dark structures.

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  Electron micrograph of Escherichia coli cell expressing the PDU BMC genes (left), and purified PDU BMCs from the same strain (right).

See also

In Spanish: Microcompartimiento bacteriano para niños