scoresvideos

🦠microbiology review

key term - Phospholipid-derived fatty acid analysis (PLFA)

Citation:

Definition

Phospholipid-derived fatty acid analysis (PLFA) is a method used to profile microbial communities by analyzing the phospholipid fatty acids in cell membranes. This technique helps characterize the structure and function of prokaryotic cells.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. PLFA can differentiate between various types of microorganisms based on their unique fatty acid profiles.
  2. This method is valuable for studying microbial ecology and environmental microbiology.
  3. PLFA analysis involves extracting lipids from cell membranes, converting them to fatty acid methyl esters, and then analyzing them using gas chromatography.
  4. Different microbial groups have characteristic PLFA profiles that can indicate changes in community composition or metabolic status.
  5. PLFA does not require culturing microorganisms, making it useful for studying complex environmental samples.

Review Questions