Natural Environment

Microbial leaching

Promoting microbial metabolism to extract valuable metals from low grade ores.

Desulfovibrio

A bacterium used in bioremediation to turn soluble U6+ into immobile U4+.

Symbiosis

The living together or stable close association of two dissimilar organisms.

Nitrogen fixation

The process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into a form usable by plants (NH3).

Rhizobia

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria that form symbiotic relationships with legume plants.

Haber-Bosch Process

Industrial method for synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen, requiring significant energy.

Bioremediation

The use of microbes to remove or neutralize contaminants from the environment.

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

A bacterium that is used for copper leaching from copper sulfide ores.

Mutualism

A type of symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.

Autotroph

An organism that produces its own food from inorganic substances, typically through photosynthesis.

Heterotroph

An organism that obtains its carbon from organic sources.

Leghemoglobin

A protein produced by legumes that helps to create a microaerophilic environment for nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Trichonympha

A protist found in termite guts that helps break down cellulose.

Commensalism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Parasitism

A symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits at the expense of the other.

Nutrient sink

A term to describe areas where nutrients are deposited and accumulate, often in ocean sediments.

Bioremediation - Oil Spills

The process of using bacteria to break down long carbon chains from oil in contaminated water.

Xenobiotic Contamination

Environmental contamination by synthetic compounds that are not naturally broken down by microbes.

Microenvironments

Small, specific environments where conditions differ from the surrounding area, impacting microbial life.

Vibrio fisheri

A bioluminescent bacterium that forms a symbiotic relationship with certain squids.

Human Microbiome

The collection of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms living in and on the human body.

Microbial fuel cells

Devices that use bacteria to convert organic matter into electricity.

Natural attenuation

The natural processes by which contaminants are reduced in concentration or toxicity in the environment.

Bioaugmentation

The addition of specific strains of bacteria to contaminated environments to enhance bioremediation.

Endophytes

Microorganisms, often fungi or bacteria, that live within a plant without causing harm, sometimes enhancing plant growth.

Decomposers

Organisms that break down dead organic material, returning nutrients to the ecosystem.

Sustainable agriculture

Farming practices that maintain soil health, reduce environmental impact, and enhance biodiversity.

Bioindicators

Organisms or biological responses used to assess the health of an ecosystem.

Eutrophication

The enrichment of water bodies with nutrients, often leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen.

Biomagnification

The process by which the concentration of toxic substances increases in organisms at higher trophic levels.

Ecosystem services

The benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, including clean air, water purification, and pollination.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat, including species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Primary productivity

The rate at which energy is converted by photosynthetic and chemosynthetic autotrophs to organic substances.

Carbon cycle

The continuous movement of carbon atoms through the environment, involving processes like respiration and photosynthesis.

Succession

The gradual process of change and replacement in the species structure of a community over time.

Invasive species

Non-native species that spread widely in a new habitat and can cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.

Ecosystem resilience

The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances or changes while maintaining its essential functions.

pH levels in water

A measure of how acidic or basic water is, affecting the solubility of

Heterotroph

An organism that obtains its carbon and energy by consuming organic matter.

Autotroph

An organism that produces its own food from inorganic substances, typically through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Vibrio fisheri

A bioluminescent bacterium that forms a symbiotic relationship with certain squids, aiding in camouflage.

Mimicking moonlight

Vibrio fisheri bacteria help squids blend into moonlight, reducing the chances of detection by predators.

Acquisition of bacteria

Squids are not born with Vibrio fisheri; they acquire the bacteria from the ocean.

Bacterial diffusion

Vibrio fisheri from the ocean diffuses into the squid's environment to establish a symbiotic relationship.

Nitric oxide and A. fisheri

Nitric oxide encourages the growth of A. fisheri in squids, as they can metabolize it.

Harsh environment for bacteria

The environment in squids is challenging for most bacteria due to acid and nitric oxide, but A. fisheri thrive.

Crypt of the light organ

The specific area within the squid's body where Vibrio fisheri reside, providing protection and nutrients.

Cilia and bacterial entry

Bacteria must swim past cilia beating in the opposite direction to reach the squid's light organ.

Bacterial survival strategy

Vibrio fisheri must navigate through hostile conditions, including acid and nitric oxide, to colonize the squid.

Immune cell education

A process by which squid immune cells learn not to attack Vibrio fisheri, allowing the bacteria to coexist.

Immune cell sacrifice

Some immune cells sacrifice themselves to provide nutrients to Vibrio fisheri, facilitating their survival.