Chloroflexus Bacteria
Chloroflexus is a genus of green nonsulfur bacteria in the family
Chloroflexaceae. They are photosynthetic (using or formed by
photosynthesis), thermophilic (growing best at elevated temperatures),
filamentous (thin in diameter and resembling a thread) gliding bacteria found in
hot springs. This organism can grow at temperatures from 35°C to 70°C.
Chloroflexus aurantiacus can survive in the dark if oxygen is available.
When grown in the dark, it has a dark orange color. When grown in sunlight, it
is dark green. These bacteria tend to form colonies.
These bacteria are unique in that they lack Calvin cycle, as well as the
reverse TCA cycle. The main pigments in Chloroflexus are large aggregates
of bacteriochlorophyll-c which absorbs around 740 nm and are organized without
protein. They also contain carotenoids which absorb in the 400-500 nm
range.2
References:
1. Bacteriologists: Webster's Quotations, Facts and Phrases By Inc Icon Group International
2. Microbial diversity: Form and function in prokaryotes By Oladele Ogunseitan
|