Lesson 2.4: Magnetosomes

Question 1

What are magnetotactic bacteria?

Answer 1

Aquatic prokaryotes that lacks complex nevous system, like brain and eye but has magnetosomes.

Question 2

What are magnetosomes?

Answer 2

-detect the direction of magnetic field,
-points out the optimal, high and low concentration of oxygen

Question 3

How does MTBs use these magnetosomes?

Answer 3

They use the magnetosomes to navigate and stay in their comfort zone to compensate for their lacking eyes. These magnetosomes help them reach the certain depths where optimal oxygen is met for their survival.

Question 4

How do this tiny magnets form?

Answer 4

bacteria take iron from their surroundings and
transport it to a special compartment called
magnetosome.

small near-perfect crystal of magnetite (Fe304) -a type of iron oxide.

Question 5

Future use of magnetosome or nanomagnets

Answer 5

-use in pills and computer,
-speed up treatment of blood infection
-pack more data in smaller space