METHANOSPIRILLUM Meaning and
Definition
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Methanospirillum is a genus of anaerobic, motile, and spiral-shaped bacteria that belong to the phylum Euryarchaeota. These microorganisms are known for their ability to produce methane gas as a metabolic byproduct through a process called methanogenesis.
The name Methanospirillum is derived from the Greek words "methanos," meaning methane, and "spira," meaning spiral, which accurately describes the unique morphological characteristic of these bacteria. They possess a spiral-shaped morphology, usually with one or more flagella that enable them to move in their aqueous environments.
Members of the Methanospirillum genus are typically found in diverse anaerobic environments, including freshwater and marine sediments, wetlands, and digestive systems of animals. They play a crucial role in the carbon cycle by utilizing organic matter, such as acetate, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen, as a source of energy for methanogenesis.
Methanospirillum bacteria are considered obligate anaerobes, meaning they are incapable of surviving in the presence of oxygen. They are also highly sensitive to environmental conditions, including temperature, pH, and salinity levels. Thus, these bacteria thrive in strictly anaerobic environments, including the guts of certain animals where they participate in the degradation of organic matter.
Due to their metabolic capabilities, Methanospirillum bacteria have gained attention in various research fields, including bioenergy and wastewater treatment, as they can assist in the production of methane gas and the removal of organic pollutants. Overall, Methanospirillum defines a group of spiral-shaped bacteria that play a significant role in the global carbon cycle and possess unique metabolic abilities.
Common Misspellings for METHANOSPIRILLUM
- nethanospirillum
- kethanospirillum
- jethanospirillum
- mwthanospirillum
- msthanospirillum
- mdthanospirillum
- mrthanospirillum
- m4thanospirillum
- m3thanospirillum
- merhanospirillum
- mefhanospirillum
- meghanospirillum
- meyhanospirillum
- me6hanospirillum
- me5hanospirillum
- metganospirillum
- metbanospirillum
- metnanospirillum
- metjanospirillum
- metuanospirillum
Etymology of METHANOSPIRILLUM
The word "Methanospirillum" is derived from two components: "methano-" and "spirillum".
1. "Methano-" comes from the Greek word "methane" (μέθανο), which means "producing or generated from wine" or "spirit of wine". In scientific terminology, it refers to a colorless, odorless, flammable gas, also known as marsh gas or natural gas (CH4).
2. "Spirillum" derives from the Latin word "spirilla", which means "coil" or "twist". It is a diminutive form of "spira" (meaning coil) and is used to describe the spiral shape of certain microorganisms.
Combining these elements, "Methanospirillum" describes a genus of bacteria that produces methane and has a spiral shape.
