We Only Discovered This 10 Years Ago

Summary

Most organisms on Earth rely on oxygen for survival, but cable bacteria utilize it in a unique way. Found in oxygen-deprived sediment, these bacteria form a conga line of cells that channel electrons from hydrogen sulfide to the oxygen just above the muck. This innovative method allows them to stretch the respiration process across distances of over ten thousand cells. Discovered in 2012, cable bacteria are now the focus of interdisciplinary research at the Center for Electromicrobiology, where scientists explore their potential for sustainable applications, including non-toxic electric wires and reducing methane emissions in rice plantations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Most organisms on Earth, including plants, need oxygen to survive and utilize it for energy through respiration.
• 🌍 Cable bacteria are a unique species that use oxygen in a completely different way compared to other organisms.
• 🔋 These bacteria can thrive in oxygen-deprived environments by utilizing hydrogen sulfide for nourishment.
• 🧪 Cable bacteria form long, cable-like structures made of thousands of interconnected cells to transport electrons.
• ⚡ The process of electron transfer in cable bacteria stretches over distances equivalent to the length of over ten thousand cells.
• 💡 Instead of simple cellular respiration, cable bacteria have evolved biological wires that carry electrons to the oxygen above them.
• 🔍 Cable bacteria were discovered only a decade ago in Denmark, showcasing the vast potential for new biological discoveries.
• 🌱 The presence of cable bacteria in rice plantations can reduce methane emissions by more than 90%, highlighting their ecological importance.
• 🤝 A multidisciplinary team of scientists is studying cable bacteria to uncover their properties and potential applications.
• 📱 Research on cable bacteria could lead to innovations such as environmentally friendly materials for electronics.

Q & A

What is the primary function of oxygen for most living organisms?

Oxygen is essential for respiration, where it is combined with hydrogen and electrons to generate energy from food.

How do cable bacteria differ from other organisms in their use of oxygen?

Cable bacteria have a unique ability to transport electrons over long distances to access oxygen, allowing them to use it in environments where it is otherwise unavailable.

What environment do cable bacteria inhabit?

Cable bacteria live in mucky sediment at the bottoms of shallow lakes, where they feed on hydrogen sulfide.

What innovative structure do cable bacteria form to access oxygen?

Cable bacteria form a cable-like structure, resembling a conga line, that extends from their food source up to the oxygen present at the surface.

What is the process by which cable bacteria transport electrons?

They route electrons through a shared membrane and use biological wires to connect the cells in the conga line to the oxygen at the surface.

Why are cable bacteria considered 'live wires'?

They are termed 'live wires' because of their ability to conduct electrons over distances that span thousands of cells, effectively acting as biological conduits.

When were cable bacteria discovered, and where?

Cable bacteria were discovered in 2012 in Denmark when researchers used chemical sensors in the sea.

What potential benefits do cable bacteria have for the environment?

They could significantly reduce methane emissions in rice plantations by more than 90%.

What collaborative efforts are being made to study cable bacteria?

The Center for Electromicrobiology at Aarhus University is researching cable bacteria, involving scientists from various disciplines such as geochemistry, molecular biology, and ecology.

What future applications might arise from studying cable bacteria?

Research into cable bacteria may lead to the development of environmentally friendly electric wires made from proteins, potentially replacing toxic materials used in current technologies.