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Related Concept Videos

Other Unique Bacteria01:18

Other Unique Bacteria

Magnetic bacteria exhibit a directed movement called magnetotaxis, driven by structures called magnetosomes. These magnetosomes consist of chains of magnetic particles made of either magnetite (Fe₃O₄) or greigite (Fe₃S₄) and are organized in a linear conformation by a protein scaffold within invaginations of the cell membrane. The bacteria align along the north–south magnetic field lines, much like a compass needle. They are typically microaerophilic or anaerobic and are commonly found near the...
Magnetism01:30

Magnetism

Magnets are commonly found in everyday objects, such as toys, hangers, elevators, doorbells, and computer devices. Experimentation on these magnets shows that all magnets have two poles: one is labeled north (N) and the other south (S). Magnetic poles repel if they are alike and attract if unlike. Moreover, both poles of a magnet attract unmagnetized pieces of iron.
An individual magnetic pole cannot be isolated. No matter how small, every piece of a magnet contains a north pole and a south...
Ferromagnetism01:31

Ferromagnetism

Materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt consist of magnetic domains, within which the magnetic dipoles are arranged parallel to each other. The magnetic dipoles are rigidly aligned in the same direction within a domain by quantum mechanical coupling among the atoms. This coupling is so strong that even thermal agitation at room temperature cannot break it. The result is that each domain has a net dipole moment. However, some materials have weaker coupling, and are ferromagnetic at lower...
Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles01:24

Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles

Microbial activity plays a pivotal role in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and manganese, especially at the redox gradients characteristic of stratified aquatic environments. These cycles are driven by microbial transformations between oxidized and reduced forms of the metals, allowing organisms to exploit them for metabolic energy and structural purposes.Iron Cycling Across Redox GradientsIn neutral, oxygen-rich surface waters, iron is predominantly found in its oxidized, insoluble ferric...
Diamagnetism01:26

Diamagnetism

Materials consisting of paired electrons have zero net magnetic moments. However, when these materials are placed under an external magnetic field, the moments opposite to the field are induced. Such materials are called diamagnets. Diamagnetism is the response of the diamagnets when placed in an external magnetic field.
Diamagnetism was discovered by Anton Brugmans in 1778 when he observed that bismuth gets repelled by magnetic fields, thus theorizing that diamagnets get repelled by magnets.
Magnetic Fields01:27

Magnetic Fields

A moving charge or a current creates a magnetic field in the surrounding space, in addition to its electric field. The magnetic field exerts a force on any other moving charge or current that is present in the field. Like an electric field, the magnetic field is also a vector field. At any position, the direction of the magnetic field is defined as the direction in which the north pole of a compass needle points.
A magnetic field is defined by the force that a charged particle experiences...

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Corrigendum: Effect of oxic and anoxic conditions on intracellular storage of polyhydroxyalkanoate and polyphosphate in <i>Magnetospirillum magneticum</i> strain AMB-1.

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Effect of oxic and anoxic conditions on intracellular storage of polyhydroxyalkanoate and polyphosphate in <i>Magnetospirillum magneticum</i> strain AMB-1.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Growing Magnetotactic Bacteria of the Genus Magnetospirillum: Strains MSR-1, AMB-1 and MS-1
10:07

Growing Magnetotactic Bacteria of the Genus Magnetospirillum: Strains MSR-1, AMB-1 and MS-1

Published on: October 17, 2018

Magnetosomes and magneto-aerotaxis.

Richard B Frankel, Dennis A Bazylinski

    Contributions to Microbiology
    |June 5, 2009
    PubMed
    Summary

    Magnetotactic bacteria use geomagnetic fields for navigation. This magneto-aerotaxis helps microaerophilic bacteria find optimal oxygen levels and potentially access nutrient-rich zones.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Geophysics
    • Biogeochemistry

    Background:

    • Magnetotactic bacteria are prokaryotes that exhibit unique magnetotaxis, aligning and moving along Earth's geomagnetic field lines.
    • This behavior is mediated by intracellular magnetic crystals called magnetosomes.
    • Understanding their motility is crucial for microbial ecology and geomagnetism studies.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To elucidate the functional significance of magneto-aerotaxis in magnetotactic bacteria.
    • To investigate how magneto-aerotaxis influences the bacteria's ability to locate and maintain optimal microaerobic conditions.
    • To explore the potential role of magneto-aerotaxis in nutrient and electron acceptor acquisition.

    Main Methods:

    • Observational studies of bacterial motility in controlled magnetic and oxygen gradients.

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    Growing Magnetotactic Bacteria of the Genus Magnetospirillum: Strains MSR-1, AMB-1 and MS-1
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  • Microscopic analysis of magnetosome formation and function.
  • Computational modeling of bacterial navigation and distribution in simulated environments.

    • Main Results:

    • Magneto-aerotaxis significantly enhances the efficiency of microaerophilic bacteria in finding and sustaining positions at preferred oxygen concentrations.
    • The directed movement along geomagnetic field lines aids in maintaining a stable microenvironment for respiration.
    • Periodic excursions above and below optimal oxygen levels, facilitated by magneto-aerotaxis, may improve access to resources.

    Conclusions:

    • Magneto-aerotaxis is a key adaptation for microaerophilic magnetotactic bacteria, optimizing their survival and function in stratified aquatic environments.
    • This navigational strategy not only ensures access to suitable oxygen levels but also potentially facilitates broader resource exploration.
    • Further research into magneto-aerotaxis can provide insights into microbial community dynamics and biogeochemical cycling.