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Related Concept Videos

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs01:15

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

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Chemolithotrophs are microorganisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic molecules such as hydrogen gas (H₂), ammonia (NH₃), reduced sulfur compounds (H₂S, S²⁻), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Unlike heterotrophic organisms that rely on organic carbon, chemolithotrophs transfer electrons from these inorganic donors to the electron transport chain (ETC), generating a proton motive force (PMF) that drives ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation.
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Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation01:22

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation

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Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme...
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Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism01:20

Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism

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Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of  ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or  nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
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Carbon-dioxide Fixation01:28

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Carbon dioxide fixation in prokaryotes enables the assimilation of inorganic carbon into organic molecules, supporting biosynthetic pathways, sustaining ecosystems, and contributing to the global carbon cycle. It also has industrial applications in carbon capture and bioproduct synthesis. Autotrophic organisms rely on this process to utilize CO₂ as a carbon source in diverse environments.The Calvin CycleThe Calvin cycle is the most widespread carbon fixation mechanism, primarily used by...
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Nitrous acid and nitric acids are two types of acids containing nitrogen, among which nitrous acid is weaker than nitric acid. Nitrous acid with a pKa value of 3.37 ionizes in water to give a nitrite ion and the hydronium ion.
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The Nitrogen Cycle

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Nitrogen atoms, present in all proteins and DNA, are recycled between abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. However, the primary form of nitrogen on Earth is nitrogen gas, which cannot be used by most animals and plants. Thus, nitrogen gas must first be converted into a usable form by nitrogen-fixing bacteria before it can be cycled through other living organisms. The use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and animal waste products in human agriculture has greatly influenced the...
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Updated: Jul 23, 2025

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O
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Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

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Nitrification in acidic and alkaline environments.

Gaofeng Ni1, Pok Man Leung1, Anne Daebeler2

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Essays in Biochemistry
|July 14, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Nitrifying microorganisms adapt to extreme pH, enabling the nitrogen cycle in diverse ecosystems. Understanding these adaptations is crucial for agriculture and wastewater treatment.

Keywords:
archaeametabolismnitrification

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Science
  • Biogeochemistry

Background:

  • Aerobic nitrification is vital to the global nitrogen cycle, primarily studied in neutral environments.
  • Nitrification occurs across diverse pH ranges, including acidic soils and alkaline soda lakes.
  • Key players include ammonia-oxidising bacteria/archaea, nitrite-oxidising bacteria, and comammox bacteria.

Approach:

  • Literature review focusing on nitrifying microorganisms in acidic and alkaline environments.
  • Identification of knowledge gaps in metabolic diversity, ecological distribution, and physiological adaptations.
  • Emphasis on microbial adaptations for pH homeostasis, energy/carbon acquisition, detoxification, and membrane potential.

Key Points:

  • Nitrifying microbes exhibit unique physiological adaptations to thrive at pH extremes.
  • Adaptations are essential for maintaining cellular functions like pH balance and energy production.
  • Reactive nitrogen species detoxification and membrane potential generation are critical at extreme pH.

Conclusions:

  • Nitrifying microorganisms possess remarkable adaptations to extreme pH environments.
  • These adaptations are crucial for their ecological roles and survival.
  • Further research into these adaptations can inform agricultural practices and wastewater treatment strategies.