Magnetotactic Bacteria

19751,689 citationsJournal Article

Authors

Richard P. Blakemore · Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Abstract

Bacteria with motility directed by the local geomagnetic field have been observed in marine sediments. These magnetotactic microorganisms possess flagella and contain novel structured particles, rich in iron, within intracytoplasmic membrane vesicles. Conceivably these particles impart to cells a magnetic moment. This could explain the observed migration of these organisms in fields as weak as 0.5 gauss.

Topics & Keywords

Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies Magnetic and Electromagnetic Effects Planetary Science and Exploration

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Life below water

Publication Details

Published in: Science

Volume 190, Issue 4212, pp. 377-379

DOI: 10.1126/science.170679

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 1.91