Yes, you read that right! Bacteria that can generate electricity sounds like something from a movie! Well I can assure you it has now become a reality. I introduce you to Geobacter metallireducens!
G. metallireducens is the first of its kind to be able to conserve energy to support its growth. It does this by oxidation of organic compounds and reducing iron, Fe(III), and manganese, Mn(IV). Essentially, G. metallireducens can use metals from its environment for cellular respiration whereas humans would use oxygen.
One unique feature of G. metallireducens is that when its sources of energy are depleted in a particular area, it is able to grow a tail, called a flagella, in order to move itself to a more metal-rich environment.
Using tiny hairlike structures, called pili, the bacteria transfer electrons to the metal. This is how the electric currents flow from G. metallireducens.
G. metallireducens only grows its pili when it needs them. Perhaps in the future, scientists will be able to find a way to have the bacteria express their pili consistently to create a consistent flow of electricity from them.
To learn about other bacteria with unique functions, watch this video: 6 Bacteria with Wild Superpowers
Comments