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Piezoelectricity (/ ˌ p iː z oʊ-, ˌ p iː t s oʊ-, p aɪ ˌ iː z oʊ-/, US: / p i ˌ eɪ z oʊ-, p i ˌ eɪ t s oʊ-/) [1] is the electric charge that accumulates in certain solid materials—such as crystals, certain ceramics, and biological matter such as bone, DNA, and various proteins—in response to applied mechanical stress. [2]
It has been hypothesized that the endogenous piezoelectricity in these materials may be relevant in their mechanobiology. For example, using PFM it has been shown that a single collagen fibril as small as 100 nm behaves predominantly as a shear piezoelectric material with an effective piezoelectric constant of ~1 pm/V.
This decreases the permeability of the cell membrane to water and different molecules. In response to flucatuation in environment, they change their membrane structures. Piezophilic bacteria do so by varying their acyl chain length, by accumulating unsaturated fatty acids, accumulating specific polar headgroups and branched fatty acids.
Piezoelectricity is a result of electrostrictive in ferroelectric materials. [2] ... Electrostriction can produce a strain on the order of 0.1% for some materials. [1
Motor proteins found within the inner membrane of the bacteria utilize a proton-conducting channel to transduce a mechanical force to the cell surface. [1] The movement of the cytoskeletal microfilaments causes a mechanical force which travels to the adhesion complexes on the substrate to move the cell forward. [ 15 ]
Cell shape is generally characteristic of a given bacterial species, but can vary depending on growth conditions. Some bacteria have complex life cycles involving the production of stalks and appendages (e.g. Caulobacter) and some produce elaborate structures bearing reproductive spores (e.g. Myxococcus, Streptomyces).
Electric bacteria are forms of bacteria that directly consume and excrete electrons at different energy potentials without requiring the metabolization of any sugars or other nutrients. [1] This form of life appears to be especially adapted to low-oxygen environments. Most life forms require an oxygen environment in which to release the excess ...
Glycocalyx is produced by many bacteria to surround their cells, [89] and varies in structural complexity: ranging from a disorganised slime layer of extracellular polymeric substances to a highly structured capsule. These structures can protect cells from engulfment by eukaryotic cells such as macrophages (part of the human immune system). [90]