A bacterium reveals the crucible of its metallurgical activity
Monday, October 14, 2013 - 10:30
in Biology & Nature
Magnetotactic bacteria have the ability to synthesize nanocrystals of magnetite enabling them to align themselves with the terrestrial magnetic field in order to find the position in the water column that is most favorable to their survival. The alignment of the nanomagnets is similar to that of a compass needle. The magnetite crystal synthesis process is a complex one, and it is little understood at the present time.