Nitrosopumilaceae

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Nitrosopumilaceae is a family of archaea that belongs to the order Nitrosopumilales. This family is part of the phylum Thaumarchaeota, one of the major groups of archaea. Nitrosopumilaceae are known for their role in the nitrogen cycle, specifically in the process of nitrification, where they oxidize ammonia to nitrite.

Taxonomy[edit | edit source]

The family Nitrosopumilaceae is classified under the order Nitrosopumilales, which is part of the phylum Thaumarchaeota. The Thaumarchaeota are a diverse group of archaea that are found in a wide range of environments, including soil, oceans, and hot springs. The Nitrosopumilaceae family currently includes one genus, Nitrosopumilus.

Metabolism[edit | edit source]

Nitrosopumilaceae are chemoautotrophs, meaning they obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic substances and use carbon dioxide as their carbon source. They are known for their role in the process of nitrification, where they oxidize ammonia to nitrite. This is a key step in the nitrogen cycle, which is essential for life on Earth.

Ecology[edit | edit source]

Nitrosopumilaceae are found in a wide range of environments, including marine and freshwater habitats, soil, and hot springs. They play a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle in these environments, contributing to the availability of nitrogen for other organisms.

Research and significance[edit | edit source]

Research on Nitrosopumilaceae has increased our understanding of the nitrogen cycle and the role of archaea in this process. Their ability to oxidize ammonia to nitrite has important implications for agriculture and wastewater treatment, as it can help to remove excess nitrogen from these systems.

File:Nitrosopumilus maritimus.jpg
Nitrosopumilus maritimus, a species of Nitrosopumilaceae

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD