Lecture 13 Flashcards
Methanogen
All Archaea. Electron donor H2 Acceptor CO2
Sulfate Reducer
Electron Donor is oftern organic. Acceptor SO4^2- or S. Produce H2S. Uses organic carbon source
Sulfur Oxidizer
Uses S, H2S as electron donor and O2 as an acceptor. Forms internal S granules. Produces SO4^2- or H2SO4
Biomining
new approach to the extraction of desired minerals from ores being explored by the mining industry in the past few years. Microorganisms are used to leach out the minerals, rather than the traditional methods of extreme heat or toxic chemicals, which have a deleterious effect on the environment.
Nitrogen Cycle
the process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms
Nitrogen Fixation
nitrogen (N2) in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia (NH3)
Root Nodule
occur on the roots of plants that associate with symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Under nitrogen-limiting conditions
Nitrogenase
enzymes used by some organisms to fix atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2)
Leghemoglobin
a nitrogen or oxygen carrier, because naturally occurring oxygen and nitrogen interact similarly with this protein
Nitrification
the biological oxidation of ammonia with oxygen into nitrite followed by the oxidation of these nitrites into nitrates.
BOD (biochemical O2 demand)
the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms in a body of water to break down organic material present in a given water sample at certain temperature over a specific time period
Denitrification
microbially facilitated process of nitrate reduction that may ultimately produce molecular nitrogen (N2) through a series of intermediate gaseous nitrogen oxide products.
Enterobacteriaeceae
a natural family of rod-shaped gram-negative bacteria, most of which occur normally or pathogenically in intestines of humans and other animals, and some of which grow in plants.
Cyst
closed pocket or pouch of tissue. It can be filled with air, fluid, pus, or other material.
Social Gliding Motility
microbes to travel in environments with a low water content, such as might be found in biofilms, microbial mats, and soil. Gliding is defined as the movement of a cell on a surface in the direction of the long axis of the cell