Microbiology Commons^™

Understanding The Physiology Of Extracellular Electron Uptake In Purple Nonsulfur Bacteria, Michael Singh Guzman

Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Microbially catalyzed oxidation-reduction reactions drive nutrient cycling and energy flux on Earth. Photoautotrophs, which include the cyanobacteria (oxygenic) and purple and green sulfur bacteria (anoxygenic), transform light energy into chemical energy and are responsible for substantial global primary productivity. Anoxygenic phototrophs, in particular, play a crucial role in biogeochemical cycling in anoxic illuminated environments because of their ability to oxidize an array of inorganic compounds for CO2 fixation. Electron donors include molecular hydrogen, nitrite, and reduced sulfur compounds. Recent evidence has also suggested that solid-phase conductive substances (SPCSs), including rust (mixed-valent iron minerals) and their proxies (poised electrodes), can serve …