User:Sara svb06

General Introduction

A snottite is described as a white, gelatinous, tubular biofilm that hangs from the ceilings of hydrogen sulfide-rich caves[2], and gets its name because of its physical resemblance to stalactites as well as being the consistency of mucus, or snot[4]. Biofilms are communities of bacteria that are connected via an extracellular matrix that adheres to, in the case of snottites, the walls of the cave[9]. Snottites can be composed of multiple bacterial and archaeal species, all of which are acidophiles[3]. Acidophiles are extremophilic organisms that grow optimally at very acidic pH values[10]. Certain mechanisms specific to each community are employed so that all nutritional requirements are met throughout the community[9].