NITROBACTER Meaning and
Definition
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Nitrobacter is a genus of gram-negative bacteria belonging to the family Nitrobacteraceae. These bacteria are chemolithotrophs, meaning they derive their energy by oxidizing inorganic substances. Nitrobacter species are primarily found in soil and aquatic environments, particularly in water bodies with high concentrations of nitrogen compounds, such as ammonia and nitrite.
The main ecological role of Nitrobacter is in the nitrogen cycle, specifically in the process of nitrification. They are known as nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, effectively converting the toxic nitrite ion (NO2-) into nitrate (NO3-). This conversion is an essential step in the biological removal of nitrogen from ecosystems, and therefore plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of nitrogen compounds in these environments.
Physiologically, Nitrobacter species are chemoautotrophs, meaning they use carbon dioxide as their source of carbon and obtain energy by oxidizing nitrite. They possess specialized enzymes, such as nitrite oxidoreductase, that enable them to carry out this conversion.
In addition to their ecological importance, some species of Nitrobacter have also been studied for their potential biotechnological applications. For example, their ability to remove nitrogen pollutants from wastewater has been explored, and they have shown promise in denitrification processes in aquaculture.
Overall, Nitrobacter bacteria are important players in the nitrogen cycle, aiding in the conversion of nitrite to nitrate and contributing to the overall ecosystem balance.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for NITROBACTER
- bitrobacter
- mitrobacter
- jitrobacter
- hitrobacter
- nutrobacter
- njtrobacter
- nktrobacter
- notrobacter
- n9trobacter
- n8trobacter
- nirrobacter
- nifrobacter
- nigrobacter
- niyrobacter
- ni6robacter
- ni5robacter
- niteobacter
- nitdobacter
- nitfobacter
Etymology of NITROBACTER
The word "Nitrobacter" has a Greek and Latin etymology. It is derived from the Greek words "nitro" meaning "nitrate" and "bacter" meaning "rod" or "bacteria". The term was coined based on the bacterium's ability to oxidize or convert nitrite ions (NO2-) into nitrate ions (NO3-).
Similar spelling words for NITROBACTER
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