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Magnetotactic Bacteria

Magnetotactic Bacteria
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Magnetotactic bacteria orient themselves and move along magnetic field lines. This positioning is possible because of the prescence of magnetosomes, small organelles (distinct structures within a cell) of magnetic iron material wrapped in a membrane. A picture of a magnetotactic bacterium and magnetosomes present in the bacteria are displayed below: Magnetosomes Magnetotactic Bacterium

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Magnetotactic Bacteria

http://scienceblogs.com/afarensis/upload/2006/01/magnetosomes_xl.jpg http://magnetolab.bio.lmu.de/de/bilder/forschung041.jpg

Magnetosomes function as a type of biological compass needle for the bacteria. The chain of these organelles serves as a magnetic dipole (example shown below) and helps the bactria in sensing its orientation. This allows for passive orientation to Earth's geomagnetic field. They each have a flagellum, which helps the bacteria move around. Magnetic Dipole with Magnetic Field Lines

http://www.antenna-theory.com/definitions/magneticDipole.jpg

Magnetotactic bacteria exhibit two distinct behaviors regarding their magnetic orientation. In polar motion, the bacteria swim North or South. In axial motion, the bacteria oscillate back and forth. One can see both a video of magnetotactic bacteria and magnetotaxis, motion in coordination with a magnetic field. Magnetotactic Bacteria Magnetotaxis

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtDIXSmUrV8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-AAZg0hjeU

This mobility and coordination of location and orientation allow for magnetotactic bacteria to travel to areas of enhanced growth and survival, as well as allow for optimization of oxygen levels. Since magnetotactic bacteria survive best in environments with little to no oxygen, magnetotaxis is a useful tool for maintaining fitness and reproducing.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ "Research" Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich. Accessed 4/10/2012 from http://www.unimuenchen.de/funktionen/kontakt/index.html
Chen, L., Bazylinski, D. A. & Lower, B. H. (2010). Bacteria That Synthesize Nano-sized Compasses to Navigate Using Earth's Geomagnetic Field. Nature Education Knowledge 1(10). 14.

"More on Magnetic Bacteria" Afarensis. Accessed 4/10/2012 from http://scienceblogs.com/afarensis/2006/01/24/more_on_magnetic_bacteria/

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