Methylococcaceae
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2009) |
| Methylococcaceae | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Methylococcus capsulatus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Proteobacteria |
| Class: | Gamma Proteobacteria |
| Order: | Methylococcales |
| Family: | Methylococcaceae |
| Genera | |
|
Methylomonas |
|
The Methylococcaceae are a family of bacteria that obtain their carbon and energy from methane, called methanotrophs. They comprise the type I methanotrophs, in contrast to the Methylocystaceae or type II methanotrophs. They belong among the gamma subdivision of the Proteobacteria, and are typically given their own order.
The Methylococcaceae have internal membranes in the form of flattened discs, perpendicular to the cell wall. Methane is oxidized to give formaldehyde, which is fixed by a process called the RuMP cycle. Here formaldehyde is combined with sugar ribulose, producing hexulose. This, in turn, is broken down to produce glyceraldehyde, which is used to produce new ribulose and other organic compounds. Catabolism does not involve a complete citric acid cycle.
 |
This Proteobacteria-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
