Thiomargarita namibiensis food storage

Introduction

The Thiomargarita namibiensis was discovered in 1997 by Heidi N. Schulz off of the coast of Walvis Bay, Namibia, Africa. The Thiomargarita namibiensis is a sulfide eating bacteria and although it mainly consumes sulfides, the Thiomargarita namibiensis also consumes some amounts of nitrates. The Thiomargarita namibiensis is currently the largest found bacteria (up to 0.3 mm in diameter). A separate strand of the Thiomargarita namibiensis was also found off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in 2005 but this strand does not does not divide along a single axis and because of that, it is unable to form large chains. The Thiomargarita namibiensis is closely related to a much smaller bacteria called the Thioploca which live in vertical sheaths and have to move up and down in order to get the nutrients that they need. Furthermore, the Thiomargarita namibiensis does not need to do that in order to become completely satiated.

Stained micrograph of the Thiomargarita namibiensis bacteria in 2007. Taken by NASA. [1].

Metabolism

The Thiomargarita namibiensis is capable of using nitrogen as the terminal electron acceptor during the Electron Transport Chain. Throughout this process, it oxidizes hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) into elemental sulfur (S₂). The sulfur molecules are then deposited in their periplasms which provides aid in helping the bacteria give off a white shimmer. Furthermore, this "white" glow allowed for scientists to give it the nickname of "The Sulfur Pearl of Namibia". When the nitrate concentrations in the surrounding environment become low, the Thiomargarita namibiensis uses the excess nutrients that it has stored in its vacuoles instead. In the recent years there has been research done which shows that the Thiomargarita namibiensis is able to go through the respiration process if the oxygen levels are plentiful in its current environment.

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References

Edited by [Author Name], student of Joan Slonczewski for BIOL 116 Information in Living Systems, 2020, Kenyon College.