World's largest bacterium discovered, first to be visible with naked eye
The world's largest bacteria is in the form of white filaments, almost the size of human eyelashes. It was found lurking on the rotting leaves sunken in the swamp.
This latest discovery of bacteria is the first that is visible to naked eye and it is in the form of white filaments, almost the size of human eyelashes. The giant white bacterium was found lurking on the rotting leaves sunken in the swamp.
World's largest bacteria discovered. Scientists say they have discovered the world's largest variety in the mangroves of Guadeloupe -- and it puts its peers to shame
World's Largest Bacteria: 7 Important Facts
1. The world's largest bacteria is about 1 centimetre in length.
2. It is the biggest single-cell bacteria found up till now.
3. The filament-like organism is named Thiomargarita Magnifica.
4. The strange bacteria is about 50 times bigger than any other known bacteria.
5. It is the first to be visible with the naked eye.
6. The thin white strands were found on the surface of decaying mangrove leaves in the swamp.
7. The bacteria live by oxidizing sulfur.
8. Central to the bacterium is its vacuole, an inert, fluid-filled membrane.
9. The edge of the vacuole is surrounded by membrane-bound structures similar to the organelles found mostly in eukaryotic cells
Why is the discovery unusual?
The discovery is important and unusual as according to models of cell metabolism, bacteria should not simply grow so big. Scientists had previously suggested an upper possible size limit about 100 times smaller than the new bacteria. The researchers aren't certain why the bacterium is so large, but according to a co-author of the study, it may be an adaptation to help it avoid being eaten by smaller organisms.
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