Question

The gram-negative pathogen Helicobacter pylori depends on a cytoplasmic enzyme, urease, to survive acidic pH. Urease catalyzes the reaction Urea > NH3+ CO2.

1. Recently a cytoplasmic membrane urea transport protein (transporter) was discovered that operates by facilitated diffusion. Why is this surprising? What does this tell you about the concentration of urea in the environment of H. pylori?

Answer 1

ANSWER :

Helicobacter pylori is a gram negative pathogen which infect the mucosa of stomach and causes ulcers in them. Helicobacter pylori can able to live in acidic condition of stomach due to presence of urease enzyme that catalyses urea to ammonia. But the cell membrane of Helicobacter pylori has also have channel proteins to transport urea inside and out via facilitate diffusion process, which is used to make osmolarity regulation of urea in the cytoplasm of bacteria. Transporter protein reduce the concentration of urea with in cytoplasm via diffusing out through them but once they make the environment of normal pH according to their need.