7 LIVING ON IRON
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Andreas Kappler
Abstract
Reduced and oxidized iron is present in virtually all of Earth’s environments. Iron is essential to all living organisms because it is a critical component of many biomolecules. It can also be used as an electron donor or terminal electron acceptor by microorganisms for metabolic redox reactions which generate energy and drive growth. In this chapter we introduce the environmental distribution and redox activity of iron and discuss how different types of Fe(II)-oxidizing (aerobic, microaerophilic, anoxygenic phototrophic, and anaerobic nitratereducing) and Fe(III)-reducing (ammonium-oxidizing, organic matter-oxidizing, methanotrophic, sulfur-oxidizing) microorganisms use the oxidation and reduction of Fe(II) and Fe(III), respectively, to generate energy and to produce biomass. In addition, we present some of the many biotechnological and environmental applications of iron-cycling microorganisms.
Abstract
Reduced and oxidized iron is present in virtually all of Earth’s environments. Iron is essential to all living organisms because it is a critical component of many biomolecules. It can also be used as an electron donor or terminal electron acceptor by microorganisms for metabolic redox reactions which generate energy and drive growth. In this chapter we introduce the environmental distribution and redox activity of iron and discuss how different types of Fe(II)-oxidizing (aerobic, microaerophilic, anoxygenic phototrophic, and anaerobic nitratereducing) and Fe(III)-reducing (ammonium-oxidizing, organic matter-oxidizing, methanotrophic, sulfur-oxidizing) microorganisms use the oxidation and reduction of Fe(II) and Fe(III), respectively, to generate energy and to produce biomass. In addition, we present some of the many biotechnological and environmental applications of iron-cycling microorganisms.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- About the Editors v
- Historical Development and Perspectives of the Series vii
- Preface to Volume 21 ix
- Contents xiii
- Contributors to Volume 21 xix
- Titles of Volumes 1–44 in the Metal Ions in Biological Systems Series xxiii
- Contents of Volumes in the Metal Ions in Life Sciences Series xxv
- 1 INTRODUCTION: FROM ROCKS TO LIVING CELLS 1
- 2 MICROBES: MASTERS OF THE GLOBAL ELEMENT CYCLES 33
- 3 BIOLOGICAL ISOTOPE FRACTIONATION AND EARTH HISTORY: FROM ENZYMES, TO CELLS, TO ECOSYSTEMS 59
- 4 IMAGING TRACE METALS IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS 81
- 5 MINERALS AND THE EMERGENCE OF LIFE 135
- 6 THE FORMATION OF IRON BIOMINERALS IN MAGNETOTACTIC BACTERIA 159
- 7 LIVING ON IRON 185
- 8 EXTRACELLULAR REDOX CHEMISTRY 229
- 9 COPING WITH TOXIC METALS 271
- 10 THE BIOCHEMISTRY OF RARE EARTH ELEMENTS 299
- SUBJECT INDEX 325
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- About the Editors v
- Historical Development and Perspectives of the Series vii
- Preface to Volume 21 ix
- Contents xiii
- Contributors to Volume 21 xix
- Titles of Volumes 1–44 in the Metal Ions in Biological Systems Series xxiii
- Contents of Volumes in the Metal Ions in Life Sciences Series xxv
- 1 INTRODUCTION: FROM ROCKS TO LIVING CELLS 1
- 2 MICROBES: MASTERS OF THE GLOBAL ELEMENT CYCLES 33
- 3 BIOLOGICAL ISOTOPE FRACTIONATION AND EARTH HISTORY: FROM ENZYMES, TO CELLS, TO ECOSYSTEMS 59
- 4 IMAGING TRACE METALS IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS 81
- 5 MINERALS AND THE EMERGENCE OF LIFE 135
- 6 THE FORMATION OF IRON BIOMINERALS IN MAGNETOTACTIC BACTERIA 159
- 7 LIVING ON IRON 185
- 8 EXTRACELLULAR REDOX CHEMISTRY 229
- 9 COPING WITH TOXIC METALS 271
- 10 THE BIOCHEMISTRY OF RARE EARTH ELEMENTS 299
- SUBJECT INDEX 325
