Nitrosopumilales
Overview[edit | edit source]
Nitrosopumilales is an order of the class Nitrososphaeria within the phylum Thaumarchaeota. These microorganisms are a group of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) that play a crucial role in the global nitrogen cycle by converting ammonia into nitrite, a process known as nitrification.
Taxonomy[edit | edit source]
The order Nitrosopumilales was established to classify a distinct lineage of archaea that are primarily found in marine environments. The members of this order are characterized by their ability to oxidize ammonia at low concentrations, which is a key ecological function in the ocean's nitrogen cycle.
Families and Genera[edit | edit source]
Nitrosopumilales includes several families and genera, with the most well-known being the genus Nitrosopumilus. This genus includes species such as Nitrosopumilus maritimus, which was one of the first ammonia-oxidizing archaea to be isolated and studied in detail.
Ecology[edit | edit source]
Members of the Nitrosopumilales are predominantly found in marine environments, including open oceans, coastal waters, and deep-sea ecosystems. They are also present in some terrestrial environments, such as soils and hot springs. These archaea are adapted to thrive in environments with low ammonia concentrations, which makes them particularly important in oligotrophic (nutrient-poor) conditions.
Role in the Nitrogen Cycle[edit | edit source]
Nitrosopumilales contribute significantly to the nitrogen cycle by oxidizing ammonia to nitrite, which is a critical step in the process of nitrification. This conversion is essential for the recycling of nitrogen in marine ecosystems, influencing both primary productivity and the global nitrogen budget.
Genomic Features[edit | edit source]
The genomes of Nitrosopumilales species are relatively small compared to other archaea, reflecting their specialized metabolic capabilities. Genomic studies have revealed the presence of genes encoding for ammonia monooxygenase, the enzyme responsible for the oxidation of ammonia, as well as other genes involved in nitrogen metabolism.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
