User:Pavneet Kalsi/sandbox

Original- “Magnetotaxis” [Entire Text]

Magnetotaxis describes an ability to sense a magnetic field and coordinate movement in response. In 1975, Richard P. Blakemore appeared to have observed the phenomena in the behaviour of certain motile aquatic bacteria. However, these bacteria orient to the Earth's magnetic field even after death, without biologically sensing the field. They are now called simply magnetic bacteria.

These bacteria (e.g. Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum) contain internal structures known as magnetosomes. They appear as a chain of dark, membrane-bound crystals - often magnetite (Fe 3O 4). Some extremophile bacteria from sulfurous environments have been isolated with greigite (an iron-sulfide compound Fe 3S 4).

It has been suggested that by orienting toward the Earth's poles, marine bacteria are able to direct their movement downwards, towards the sediment. However, these bacteria are found even at the Earth's magnetic equator, where the field is directed horizontally. An alternative explanation is that by keeping the bacteria aligned against Brownian motion, they are more efficient at chemotaxis.[1]

Edit- “Magnetotaxis”

Megnetosome [New Subheading]

The evolution of magnetosome formation suggests that it is a monophyletic organelle which descended from one common ancestor--regardless of the minerals inside the magnetosome . Magnetosomes are found in a variety of Gram- negative bacteria . Recent usage of DNA sequencing technology showcases that the biodiversity ranges in three phyla: Proteobacteria, Nitrospirae phylum, and a super phylum consisting of Planctomycetes, Verrucomicrobia, and Chlamydiae (PVC) . These bacteria are either microaerophiles, anaerobes, or both . Some are also extremophiles in sulfurous environments.

The size of magnetosomes are in the range of 35-120 nm . The magnetosomes usually align as one or more dark chains perpendicular to the long axis of the cell . The magnetosome consists of an outer membrane composed of proteins, fatty acids, glycolipids, sulfolipids, and phospholipids . The proteins are unique and are essential for magnetite biomineralization . In addition, the membrane surrounds high quality crystals forming one of three common shapes. The crystals can be roughly cuboidal, parallelepipedal/ elongated prism, or bullet/ tooth shaped with no symmetry . The crystals are composed of magnetite (Fe3O4) or an iron-sulfide compound (Fe3S4).

The response to the magnetic field using the magnetosome is passive which benefits the bacteria by improving their ability to detect oxygen . For example, this property is utilized in situations where the bacteria are isolated from their environment due to an external force . The magnetotactic bacteria then have the advantage of recovering their habitat because of magnetic orientation towards their preferred habitat .Pavneet Kalsi (talk) 02:54, 9 October 2017 (UTC)

Magnetosome [final edits]

Magnetosomes are organelles found in gram negative, motile, and rod shaped magnetotactic bacteria . Its structural features consist of an outer membrane composed of proteins, fatty acids, glycolipids, sulfolipids, and phospholipids . These membrane proteins conduct biomineralization . Therefore, the membrane surrounds crystals composed of magnetite (Fe3O4) or an iron-sulfide compound (Fe3S4) which respond to the magnetic field . These high quality crystals form one of three common shapes-- cuboidal, parallelepipedal/ elongated prism, or bullet/ tooth with no symmetry . Magnetosomes range in size from 35-120 nm, and they usually align as dark chains perpendicular to the long axis of the cell . The length of the chain varies in different bacteria . Furthermore, some species have multiple chains, chains with multiple strands, or clusters of magnetosomes .

The long chain(s) of magnetosomes are responsible for conducting magneto-aerotaxis/magnetotaxis . They create a permanent, single magnetic dipole that aligns with the magnetic field . This directs the motility of bacteria along magnetic field lines in the direction of a microaerophilic environment . Magneto-aerotaxis is conducted in a passive manner when moving away from high oxygen gradients . In contrast, bacteria without magnetosomes direct their movement using chemotaxis. Magneto-aerotaxis is showcased in situations where magnetotactic bacteria are isolated from their environment due to an external force (e.g. flood) . They then return to their preferred habitat via polarized orientation. Furthermore, magnetotactic bacteria are able to move away from increasing oxygen concentrations faster when compared to wild type bacteria placed in a zero field . This is not due to an increase in average speed in situations of high oxygen concentration but enhanced oxygen detection also possible because of magnetosomes . Pavneet Kalsi (talk) 04:34, 20 November 2017 (UTC)