our microbial seas

Question 1

oceans produce

Answer 1

50% off the oxygen present in the atmosphere

Question 2

oceans are

Answer 2

major sinks for atmospheric carbon

Question 3

what shapes microbial communities

Answer 3

limiting factors:

-phosphate, nitrate and iron limitiations

Question 4

what are oceans dominated by

Answer 4

oligotrophy-

Question 5

these oligotrophy have

Answer 5

small genomes that are AT rich

Question 6

nutrient concentration is relatively low in oceans so

Answer 6

adaptations: genomes are tiny and AT rich to reduce N-demand

Question 7

who discovered SAR11 and when

Answer 7

Giovannoni- 1990

Question 8

SAR11

Answer 8

tiny, gram -ve rod shaped

Question 9

SAR11 are

Answer 9

the most abundant group of planktonic ells in marine systems and possibly the most numerous bacteria in the world

Question 10

biomass of SAR11 is equal to

Answer 10

biomass of marine fish

Question 11

SAR11 play an important role in

Answer 11

the carbon cycle- produce 5-20% of carbon dioxide

Question 12

why are SAR11 hard to culture in a lab

Answer 12

due to the fact they are adapted to such low nutrient environments

Question 13

adaptations of SAR11

Answer 13

high surface area to vol ratio to better absorb nutrients; have one of the smallest genomes, meaning they need less nitrates and phosphates to survive

Question 14

having a smaller genome means

Answer 14

less dependent on nutrient rich environments