Reproduction
Binary Fission
Like most bacteria, Streptococcus pneumoniae reproduce
through binary fission (Carter, 1997). During this process, the
Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria will first copy it’s genetic
material. After the copy has been completed, the genetic material
will then polarize at opposite ends of the bacteria. Proteins then
begin to form a ring in the center of the bacteria. This ring,
called the FTsZ ring, will then cause the bacteria to split in two
while avoiding doing any damage to either copy of the genetic
material (Cornell University, 2013).
Below is a video showing binary fission in Streptococcus
pneumoniae
Ideal Conditions
When placed in mixed media containing blood, the bacteria
undergo binary fission at a doubling rate between 20-30 minutes at
37 C. (Todar, 2012, p.1) This environment is similar to a human,
whose average body temperature is 37 C (Wong, 1997).
Sources of Genetic Recombination
Bacteria typically undergo genetic recombination
through transformation, transduction, or conjugation. However, it
should be noted that one of the most efficient sources for genetic
recombination in Streptococcus pneumoniae is transformation (Marks,
Reddinger, Hakansson, 2012). As a matter of fact, the process of
genetic transformation was discovered by Fred Griffith in the late
1920’s (Evers, 2009). To undergo genetic recombination,
bacteria “pick up” genes from other bacteria (including dead ones)
and add them to their genome.
In addition, recombination can simply come from mutations which
creates different traits in the bacteria (Todar, 2012, p. 2).
Medical Issues Arising from Recombination Efficiency
Streptococcus pneumoniae
are remarkably efficient at shuffling their genes and multiplying
effectively which can help explain their high antibiotic resistance. In addition, many different types of serotypes (the
type of plasma serum within the organism) exist which makes it even
harder to create drugs against one particular type of organism.
(Todar, 2012)