Green sulfur bacteria

Definition

Green sulfur bacteria are a group of anaerobic, phototrophic bacteria that use sulfur compounds as electron donors for photosynthesis. They belong to the phylum Chlorobi and thrive in light-deprived, anoxic environments such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents or stratified lakes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Green sulfur bacteria utilize chlorosomes to capture light efficiently in low-light conditions.
2. They perform anoxygenic photosynthesis, meaning they do not produce oxygen as a byproduct.
3. These bacteria fix carbon dioxide using the reverse tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle.
4. Habitats include deep-sea hydrothermal vents and stratified lakes where light is minimal and anoxic conditions prevail.
5. The primary pigments involved in their photosynthesis are bacteriochlorophylls c, d, or e.

Review Questions

• What type of photosynthesis do green sulfur bacteria perform?
• In what types of environments are green sulfur bacteria typically found?
• Which pigments are primarily involved in the photosynthetic process of green sulfur bacteria?

Related terms

Chlorobi: A phylum to which green sulfur bacteria belong.

Anoxygenic Photosynthesis: A form of photosynthesis that does not produce oxygen as a byproduct.

Chlorosome: A specialized antenna complex used by green sulfur bacteria to capture light under low-light conditions.