NAME IT Intracellular reticulate bodies of this gram-negative bacterium convert to elementary bodies that can infect a new host cell.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the bacterium described in the problem. This bacterium is known for having a unique developmental cycle involving two distinct forms: reticulate bodies and elementary bodies.
2. Understand the life cycle of this bacterium. The reticulate bodies are the non-infectious, metabolically active form that replicates within the host cell.
3. Recognize that the reticulate bodies eventually convert into elementary bodies, which are the infectious form of the bacterium.
4. Elementary bodies are released from the host cell and can infect new host cells, continuing the cycle.
5. This description matches the life cycle of Chlamydia, a genus of gram-negative bacteria known for this intracellular developmental cycle.

Key Concepts

Intracellular Reticulate Bodies

Intracellular reticulate bodies (IRBs) are a form of Chlamydia that exist within host cells. They are metabolically active and replicate by binary fission. IRBs are essential for the growth and development of Chlamydia, as they provide a protected environment for the bacteria to multiply before transitioning to a more infectious form.

Elementary Bodies

Elementary bodies (EBs) are the infectious form of Chlamydia, characterized by their small size and ability to survive outside host cells. They are metabolically inactive and are designed for transmission between host cells. Upon entering a new host cell, EBs convert into IRBs, initiating the infection cycle.

Gram-Negative Bacteria

Gram-negative bacteria are characterized by their thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides. This structure makes them more resistant to certain antibiotics and contributes to their pathogenicity. Chlamydia, as a gram-negative bacterium, exhibits unique life cycle stages, including the transformation between EBs and IRBs.