| Description | Acidimicrobium ferrooxidans is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped microbe that thrives in extreme environments with temperatures below 45°C, categorizing it as a psychrophile. This microbe is a chemolithoautotroph, deriving its energy from the oxidation of ferrous iron (Fe2+) and using it as its sole energy source. It produces energy through the process of chemosynthesis, converting the energy from the oxidation reaction into ATP. Acidimicrobium ferrooxidans is found in a variety of environments, including acidic mines, acid mine drainage, and soil, where it plays a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and sulfur compounds. The microbe's ability to thrive in low-temperature environments makes it an important component of many ecosystems. As a Gram-negative microbe, Acidimicrobium ferrooxidans has a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane that contains lipopolysaccharides. The rod-shaped morphology of the microbe allows it to move efficiently through its environment, facilitating its ability to exploit nutrient-rich areas. Acidimicrobium ferrooxidans is an obligate aerobe, requiring the presence of oxygen to survive. It thrives in environments with adequate oxygen levels, such as the surface of soil and acidic mine drainage. In terms of its ability to withstand changes in oxygen levels, Acidimicrobium ferrooxidans is not capable of anaerobic respiration or fermentation and is therefore not tolerant of low oxygen levels. It is sensitive to oxygen deprivation and dies quickly in the absence of oxygen. Acidimicrobium ferrooxidans has been found to have significant implications in biotechnological applications, such as the bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated environments and the production of biofuels. |
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