Group 4 February 26, 2018

Boctuanon, Fatima

Cabildo, Carmelle

Guerra. Carmela

Exercise 1

Variation in Bacteria: A Change in its Phenotype

Objective:

The experiment aims to phenotypic variation in Serratia marcescens and Micrococcus luteus
colonies when grown at room temperature and 37˚C.

Methodology

Four Nutrient Agar plates were prepared. Two of these plates were streaked using a loop with
Serratia marcescens and the other two were streaked with Micrococcus luteus. One plate of each
organism was incubated at a room temperature and the other plate placed in 37 ˚C. Pigment production
has been observed and results were recorded in the manual.

Results and Discussion

Table 1. Result of pigment production

The table below shows the result of the experiment after incubation. Pigment production is
evident on the plates.

Bacterial species Pigment production

Room temperature 37˚C

Red pigment Colorless

Serratia marcescens
 Yellow pigment Colorless

Micrococcus
luteus

Observation

Species produce pigments due to a certain environmental stimuli. Based on the result of the
experiment, Serratia marcescens produced a red pigment called prodigiosin at room temperature. On the
other hand, when placed in a 37˚ C, pigment is no longer visible. According to Lynn (2005), temperature
affects the activity of one or more enzymes included in the production of prodigiosin. Specific enzyme to
create this pigment like prodigiosin lose activity when temperature reaches 30˚C and above. S.
marcescens produce pigments only if they grow optimally. Temperature has served as an influence in
gene expression for some organisms (Lobo, 2008). The gene present in S. marcescens is active at room
temperature but inactive at 37˚C. On the other hand, Micrococcus luteus also shows yellow pigment at
room temperature and colorless at 37˚C. Temperature regulation of gene expression results this organism
a distinctive pigment or color and at high temperature, this pigment is said to be inactive.

Guide Questions

1. Does phenotypic variations occur in higher forms of life? Explain your answer.

2. Is phenotypic variation always associated with genotypic changes? Explain your answer.
 3. How will you account for the pigment production by Serratia marcescens and Micrococcus
luteus as a response to temperature?

Both Serratia marcescens and Micrococcus luteus show yellow pigments at room temperature
and colorless at 37˚C. Temperature plays a role in controlling the expression of pigments on both
organisms. Differences in temperature affects growth and pigment production due to the temperature of
the enzymatic activities cannot correspond with the optimum growth temperature needed by the bacteria.

References

[1] Lynn, B. (2005). Temperature Tincture: The Effects of Temperature on Bacterial Pigmentation.
Harvard:Brigham.

[2] Lobo, I. (2008). Environmental influence on gene expression. Nature Education, 1(1), 39.