Nitrobacteraceae
Encyclopedia
Nitrobacteraceae is a family
of Alphaproteobacteria
. They are gram-negative
and aerobic
.
The bacteria of this family derive their energy from oxidizing ammonia
to nitrite
, or by oxidizing nitrite to nitrate
.
They are commonly found in freshwater
and soil
.
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
of Alphaproteobacteria
Alphaproteobacteria
Alphaproteobacteria is a class of Proteobacteria. Like all Proteobacteria, they are Gram-negative.-Characteristics:The Alphaproteobacteria comprise most phototrophic genera, but also several genera metabolising C1-compounds , symbionts of plants and animals, and a group of pathogens, the...
. They are gram-negative
Gram-negative
Gram-negative bacteria are bacteria that do not retain crystal violet dye in the Gram staining protocol. In a Gram stain test, a counterstain is added after the crystal violet, coloring all Gram-negative bacteria with a red or pink color...
and aerobic
Aerobic organism
An aerobic organism or aerobe is an organism that can survive and grow in an oxygenated environment.Faculitative anaerobes grow and survive in an oxygenated environment and so do aerotolerant anaerobes.-Glucose:...
.
The bacteria of this family derive their energy from oxidizing ammonia
Ammonia
Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula . It is a colourless gas with a characteristic pungent odour. Ammonia contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms by serving as a precursor to food and fertilizers. Ammonia, either directly or...
to nitrite
Nitrite
The nitrite ion has the chemical formula NO2−. The anion is symmetric with equal N-O bond lengths and a O-N-O bond angle of ca. 120°. On protonation the unstable weak acid nitrous acid is produced. Nitrite can be oxidised or reduced, with product somewhat dependent on the oxidizing/reducing agent...
, or by oxidizing nitrite to nitrate
Nitrate
The nitrate ion is a polyatomic ion with the molecular formula NO and a molecular mass of 62.0049 g/mol. It is the conjugate base of nitric acid, consisting of one central nitrogen atom surrounded by three identically-bonded oxygen atoms in a trigonal planar arrangement. The nitrate ion carries a...
.
They are commonly found in freshwater
Freshwater
Fresh water is naturally occurring water on the Earth's surface in ice sheets, ice caps, glaciers, bogs, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, and underground as groundwater in aquifers and underground streams. Fresh water is generally characterized by having low concentrations of dissolved salts and...
and soil
Soil
Soil is a natural body consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics...
.
See also
- BradyrhizobiaceaeBradyrhizobiaceaeThe Bradyrhizobiaceae are a family of bacteria, with ten genera. They include plant-associated bacteria such as Bradyrhizobium, a genus of rhizobia associated with some legumes. It also contains animal-associated bacteria such as Afipia felis, formerly thought to cause cat-scratch disease...
, a family of bacteria also said to contain the genus NitrobacterNitrobacterNitrobacter is genus of mostly rod-shaped, gram-negative, and chemoautotrophic bacteria.Nitrobacter plays an important role in the nitrogen cycle by oxidizing nitrite into nitrate in soil... - Nitrosomonadaceae, a family of bacteria also said to contain the genus NitrosomonasNitrosomonasNitrosomonas is a genus comprising rod shaped chemoautotrophic bacteria.This rare bacteria oxidizes ammonia into nitrite as a metabolic process. Nitrosomonas are useful in treatment of industrial and sewage waste and in the process of bioremediation. They are important in the nitrogen cycle by...
External links
- J.P. Euzéby: List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature - Family Nitrobacteraceae - cict.fr
- Nitrobacteraceae - discoverlife.org
- Nitrobacteraceae, Taxonomic Serial No.: 56 - Integrated Taxonomic Information SystemIntegrated Taxonomic Information SystemThe Integrated Taxonomic Information System is a partnership designed to provide consistent and reliable information on the taxonomy of biological species. ITIS was originally formed in 1996 as an interagency group within the U.S...
- Nitrobacteraceae - online-medical-dictionary.org
- Taxonomic Considerations of the Family Nitrobacteraceae Buchanan - sgmjournals.org