Bacteria change shape when confronted with antibiotics (IMAGE)

Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Bacteria change shape when confronted with antibiotics

Caption

When bacteria are damaged by antibiotics, they activate an SOS response. Instead of growing, the bacteria work to repair the damage and change so they can better tolerate antibiotics. As this happens, they change shape, becoming thin and elongated. 

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Photo: Olaug Elisabeth Torheim Bergum and Amanda Holstad Singleton

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