What are methanogens?

methanogens are a type of microorganism that produces methane as a by -product of metabolism under the conditions of very low oxygen. They are often present in swamps, swamps and other wetlands where there is a methane that produces, known as "swamp gas". Methanogens also exist in the intestines of some animals, including cows and humans, where they contribute to methane content in flatulence. Although they were once classified as archebacteria, methanogens are now classified as archaea, different from bacteria. Others, such as the family methanococcus , are mesophiles, which means that they are best at moderate temperatures. methanobrevibacter Smithii is a prominent methanogen in the human intestine, no helping to spend polysaccharides or complex sugars.

methanogens are either rod or spherical. However, it does not form a monophyletic group, which means that all methanogens consist of a single ancestor and all its offspring. There are more than 50 species, all of which belong to the Archaea domain. Methanogens do not require oxygen and in some cases they cannot even survive in oxygen, although they can be able to tolerate its presence after permanent periods.

methanogens are a very diverse group. They use carbon source, such as carbon dioxide or acetate, to control their metabolism, called methanogenesis, along with hydrogen as a reduction agent. Therefore, the environmental benefits of removal of excess hydrogen and carbon from anaerobic environment have an environmental benefit. Methanogen, which metabolizes carbon dioxide, is classified as hydrogenotrophic, while those that metabolize acetate are acetotrophic or aceticlastic.

methanogens perform an important ecological function by helping to remove carbon dioxide from the environment. They do this at a considerable price, as the methanogenesis process also produces methane, which has the potential of global warming 21 times greater than the potential of carbon dioxide. TheFortunately, this effect can be compensated by the use of methane as a biofuel.