| Description | Bacteroides helcogenes is a gram-negative, rod-shaped microbe that thrives in mesophilic temperatures, categorized as a chemoheterotroph, and can be found in all body sites of various species, including the gut, skin, and oral cavity, and is an obligate anaerobe. As a gram-negative microbe, Bacteroides helcogenes has a unique outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides, which plays a crucial role in its ability to evade the host's immune system. Its rod-shaped morphology allows it to adhere to and colonize various surfaces, facilitating its growth and survival. The mesophilic temperature preference of Bacteroides helcogenes enables it to thrive in temperatures between 20-45°C, making it well-suited to the human body's temperature range. As a chemoheterotroph, Bacteroides helcogenes relies on chemical compounds for energy and carbon sources, breaking down complex molecules into simpler ones to sustain its growth. This metabolic versatility allows it to occupy a wide range of ecological niches, from the gut to the oral cavity. The presence of Bacteroides helcogenes in all body sites of various species underscores its adaptability and ability to coexist with its hosts. As an obligate anaerobe, Bacteroides helcogenes is strictly dependent on the absence of oxygen to survive, which is reflected in its unique metabolic pathways that enable it to thrive in low-oxygen environments. Bacteroides helcogenes plays a significant role in the degradation of complex polysaccharides, contributing to the balance of the gut microbiome and influencing the host's overall health. Its ability to produce short-chain fatty acids as byproducts of fermentation has been linked to various physiological processes, including the regulation of inflammation and the modulation of the immune system. |
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