Spirochaeta americana
From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource
Classification
Higher order taxa:
Domain Bacteria; Phylum Spirochetes; Class Spirochetes; Order Spirochaetales; Family Spirochaeta; Genus Spirochaeta; Species Spirochaeta americana
Description and Significance
S. Americana is an extremophile. It has been found in the highly alkaline anaerobic environment of Mono Lake, California. S. Americana can also inhabit areas with high sulfur and salt concentrations. S. americana has scientists especially excited. Some believe that the harsh environment of Mono Lake is similar to that of Mars, giving hope to the theory that life existed there. [1, 2]
Genome Structure
Cell Structure and Metabolism
Ecology
Isolation and Cultivation
References
1. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/30jul_monolake.htm 2. http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20030630213230data_trunc_sys.shtml
