Micromonas pusilla
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Micromonas pusilla
Classification
Higher order taxa
Eukaryota; Chlorophyta; Prasinophyceae; Mamiellales; Mamiellaceae
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Micromonas pusilla
Description and significance
M. pusilla is an aquatic microorganism which is distributed worldwide. It is currently the only classified species within the genus Micromonas. The species contains at least three distinct clades: subtropical/tropical, temperate, and polar. M. pusilla is generally less than 2 µm in length and is therefore classified as a picophytoplanktonic species. It is pear-shaped with a single flagellum which has microtubules at the end. M. pusilla is one of the most abundant microorganisms within marine ecosystems and it is the smallest known single-celled eukaryotic organism.
Genome structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Research is currently being done on the genome of Micromonas pusilla, so there is not an abundance of knowledge on it. The genome is 15 Mb.
Cell structure and metabolism
Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces. Micromonas pusilla is a green algal species and gains energy through photosynthesis. It uses carbon fixation to produce organic molecules, which is driven by photosynthesis. The microorganism contains only one mitochondrion which produces adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, used for cellular energy. M. pusilla also contains a Golgi body which is an organelle used in the process of protein and lipid production and synthesis.
Ecology
Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Current Research
Enter summarries of the most rescent research here--at least three required
References
Pirie, N.W. "On Being the Right Size". Annual Review of Microbiology. 1973. Volume 27. p. 119-132.
Edited by student of Jay-Terrence Lennon and Edward Walker at Michigan State University.
