Another disease caused by S aureus that we did not discuss is scalded skin syndr

Question

Another disease caused by S aureus that we did not discuss is scalded skin syndrome. The strain of S. aureus that causes this disease makes exfoliative toxins (there are two of them). These toxins destroy the desmosomes,which are protein bridges that connect cytoplasmic membranes of adjacent cells. The toxin is carried from the site of infection through the blood. When toxin is circulated in the blood the condition is called toxemia. The syndrome affects only the epidermis, and causes it to redden and peel off. The disease affects children under the age of 5, immunocompromised people such as AIDS patients and the elderly. The disease is spread person-to-person on the skin and the organism will penetrate cuts and abrasions where it will grow and release the toxins. The reddened skin does not contain the organism; the exfoliative toxins are what caused the damage. Many bacteria when they deal with dry conditions make or accumulate molecules that are osmotically active, meaning they attract water because they are polar. These molecules are called compatible solutes if they are used to keep the organism from drying out. Compatible refers to the fact that the molecule is compatible with the organism's biochemical processes in that it will not interfere with or inhibit them. Solute refers to the ability to attract water and stay in solution in water. Organisms in positive water balance have a high enough solute concentration so that wate flows into the cell; it is in negative water balance when the solute concentration is higher outside the cell. If a bacterium is in jam it may have trouble with osmotic balance because the sugar content is so high in the jam that it would put the organism in

Explanation / Answer

If a bacterium is in jam it may have trouble with osmotic balance because the sugar content is so high in the jam that it would put the organism in NEGATIVE WATER BALANCE. But in water, the organism would be in POSITIVE WATER BALANCE.

When the solute concentration is high outside the cell, water moves outside the cell causing the cell to shrink. When the solute concentration is low outside the cell, water moves into the cell and causes the cell to swell.

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