Bacillus coli commune, also known as Escherichia coli, is a gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium that is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms. It belongs to the coli-aerogenes group of bacteria and is a facultative anaerobe, which means it can survive and grow in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
The term "bacillus" refers to the bacterium's shape, resembling a rod or a cylindrical structure, while "col" refers to the colon or large intestine, the primary site of colonization for this bacterium. "Commune" refers to the fact that E. coli is a normal resident of the intestinal flora in healthy individuals.
Bacillus coli commune plays a crucial role in the digestive system and is considered a vital member of the gut microbiota. Although E. coli has several harmless strains, some can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, urinary tract infections, or other infections if they enter other parts of the body. Therefore, it is important to differentiate between pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains of E. coli when discussing its impact on human health.
In laboratory settings, Bacillus coli commune serves as a model organism for research due to its well-characterized genetics and ease of manipulation. It has contributed significantly to the understanding of basic molecular biology processes and has been instrumental in the development of genetic engineering techniques.
Overall, Bacillus coli commune is a naturally occurring bacterium in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, playing a critical role in digestion.
