Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 9, 2026
08:45
Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes
Published on: May 10, 2022
2.4K
Iron-oxidizing bacteria: an environmental and genomic perspective.
David Emerson1, Emily J Fleming, Joyce M McBeth
1Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, West Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04575, USA. demerson@bigelow.org
Annual Review of Microbiology
|June 23, 2010
Summary
Iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) are ancient microbes crucial for iron oxidation. Recent research advances our understanding of their metabolism, phylogeny, and role in biogeochemistry, particularly at deep-sea vents.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Geochemistry
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) were among the first microbes recognized for geological processes like iron oxidation.
- Studies on FeOB metabolism and culturing faced challenges, lagging behind other lithotrophic metabolisms.
- Recent research has accelerated due to FeOB's recognized role in elemental biogeochemistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiology and phylogeny of lithotrophic, oxygen-dependent FeOB.
- To understand the abundance and ecological significance of FeOB at deep-sea hydrothermal vents.
- To explore the potential practical applications of these ancient microorganisms.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and culturing of obligate FeOB strains.
- Physiological and phylogenetic analyses of isolated FeOB.
- Field studies at deep-sea hydrothermal vents to assess FeOB abundance.
Main Results:
- New strains of obligate FeOB were successfully isolated.
- Improved understanding of FeOB physiology and phylogenetic relationships.
- FeOB were found to be abundant at specific deep-sea hydrothermal vent sites.
Conclusions:
- FeOB play a significant role in iron biogeochemistry.
- Recent advancements facilitate deeper insights into FeOB.
- These microorganisms present opportunities for understanding fundamental biological processes and practical applications.
Related Concept Videos
02:02Genomics
40.8K
Genomics is the science of genomes: it is the study of all the genetic material of an organism. In humans, the genome consists of information carried in 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus, as well as mitochondrial DNA. In genomics, both coding and non-coding DNA is sequenced and analyzed. Genomics allows a better understanding of all living things, their evolution, and their diversity. It has a myriad of uses: for example, to build phylogenetic trees, to improve productivity and...
40.8K
03:14Oxidation Numbers
42.9K
In redox reactions, the transfer of electrons occurs between reacting species. Electron transfer is described by a hypothetical number called the oxidation number (or oxidation state). It represents the effective charge of an atom or element, which is assigned using a set of rules.
42.9K
01:27Psychodynamic Perspectives on Personality
1.6K
The psychodynamic perspective in psychology asserts that most personality functions operate unconsciously, outside of awareness. This means that the motives and emotions driving behavior often remain hidden, automatically buried in the unconscious mind as a defense mechanism to shield us from psychological distress. According to this theory, the unconscious mind contains thoughts, memories, and emotions that are too disturbing to face directly.
Psychodynamic theorists argue that unconscious...
Psychodynamic theorists argue that unconscious...
1.6K
03:21Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes
9.2K
While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
9.2K
02:16Comparing Mitochondrial, Chloroplast, and Prokaryotic Genomes
16.5K
The present-day mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes have retained some of the characteristics of their ancestral prokaryotes and also have acquired new attributes during their evolution within eukaryotic cells. Like prokaryotic genomes, mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes neither bind with histone-like proteins nor show complex packaging into chromosome-like structures, as observed in eukaryotes. Unlike mitotic cell divisions observed in eukaryotic cells, mitochondria and chloroplasts...
16.5K
01:15Pyruvate Oxidation
169.1K
After glycolysis, the charged pyruvate molecules enter the mitochondria via active transport and undergo three enzymatic reactions. These reactions ensure that pyruvate can enter the next metabolic pathway so that energy stored in the pyruvate molecules can be harnessed by the cells.
First, the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase removes the carboxyl group from pyruvate and releases it as carbon dioxide. The stripped molecule is then oxidized and releases electrons, which are then picked up by NAD+...
First, the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase removes the carboxyl group from pyruvate and releases it as carbon dioxide. The stripped molecule is then oxidized and releases electrons, which are then picked up by NAD+...
169.1K