Nester's Microbiology: A Human Perspective
Nester's Microbiology: A Human Perspective
8th Edition
ISBN: 9780073522593
Author: Denise G. Anderson Lecturer, Sarah Salm, Deborah Allen
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 28, Problem 1SA

Describe why a microbial mat has green, reddish-pink, and black layers.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

To review:

The microbial mat having green, reddish-pink, and black layers.

Introduction:

Biofilm is a thin layer or sheet, which is composed of living organisms such as microbes that are attached to the surfaces of solids or in between the air and water faces. A microbial mat is a dense, multilayered, thick, and highly organized form of a biofilm, which is composed of colonies of mainly archaea and bacteria. These mats provide an important model for the study of microbial interactions and microbial communities.

Explanation of Solution

The microbial mats consist of several layers that are visually distinguishable. There are mainly three colored layers, which represents the growth of different microbial communities. The green colored layer is the topmost layer that consists of mainly cyanobacterial community and appears green due to the presence of green photosynthetic pigments in them and makes the organic materials. Below this, is the pink-colored layer that represents the community of purple sulfur bacteria. These are anaerobic phototrophs. The lowermost layer is black in color, which represents the community of sulfate-reducers. These are obligate anaerobic bacteria that metabolize the organic components synthesized by the upper layers of the microbial mat.

Conclusion

Therefore, the microbial mat represents the distinct layers of the microbial communities that are present altogether. The uppermost layer is green due to the cyanobacterial community, the pink-colored one is present in middle comprising of purple sulfur bacteria and the lowermost is black in color showing the sulfate-reducing bacteria.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
You aim to test the hypothesis that the Tbx4 and Tbx5 genes inhibit each other's expression during limb development. With access to chicken embryos and viruses capable of overexpressing Tbx4 and Tbx5, describe an experiment to investigate whether these genes suppress each other's expression in the limb buds. What results would you expect if they do repress each other? What results would you expect if they do not repress each other?
You decide to delete Fgf4 and Fgf8 specifically in the limb bud. Explain why you would not knock out these genes in the entire embryo instead.
You implant an FGF10-coated bead into the anterior flank of a chicken embryo, directly below the level of the wing bud. What is the phenotype of the resulting ectopic limb?  Briefly describe the expected expression domains of 1) Shh, 2) Tbx4, and 3) Tbx5 in the resulting ectopic limb bud.
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Basic Clinical Laboratory Techniques 6E
Biology
ISBN:9781133893943
Author:ESTRIDGE
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Basic Clinical Lab Competencies for Respiratory C...
Nursing
ISBN:9781285244662
Author:White
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Body Structures & Functions
Biology
ISBN:9781285695495
Author:Scott
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Concepts of Biology
Biology
ISBN:9781938168116
Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Publisher:OpenStax College
Text book image
Principles Of Radiographic Imaging: An Art And A ...
Health & Nutrition
ISBN:9781337711067
Author:Richard R. Carlton, Arlene M. Adler, Vesna Balac
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Essentials Health Info Management Principles/Prac...
Health & Nutrition
ISBN:9780357191651
Author:Bowie
Publisher:Cengage
Explore Terrestrial Habitats - Types of Habitats for Children; Author: Smile and Learn - English;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv1indKgOHQ;License: Standard youtube license