Ajay Ramgolam

Week 8 Discussion topics

1. Why can it be said that the carbon and nitrogen cycles are “coupled”?

Carbon-nitrogen cycle coupling reduces the simulated global terrestrial carbon uptake
response to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration by 74%, relative to a carbon-only
counterpart model.
Both carbon and nitrogen cycle are types of biogeochemical cycles and tend to liberate
elements from their cycles. The carbon cycle releases carbon, and the nitrogen cycle
releases nitrogen into the atmosphere. In both cycles, the process starts with gas and also
ends in a gaseous state.

2. Why might a biofilm be a good habitat for bacterial cells living in a flowing system?

 Resist physical forces that could otherwise

remove cells only weakly attached to a surface.
 Fix bacterial cells in locations where nutrients may be more
abundant or are constantly being replenished.

3. Give an example of a medically relevant biofilm that forms in virtually all healthy
humans.
Most bacteria in nature are sessile, and aggregates of sessile bacteria can form biofilms.
In the human body, bacterial biofilms can be found on many surfaces such as the skin,
teeth, and mucosa. Plaque that forms on teeth is an example of a biofilm.

4. How do different intercellular and intracellular signaling molecules modulate

biofilm formation and dispersal?

5. What forms of mercury are most toxic to organisms?

Methylmercury [CH3Hg] is the most toxic form. It affects the immune system, alters
genetic and enzyme systems, and damages the nervous system, including coordination
and the senses of touch, taste, and sight.
6. How is mercury detoxified by bacteria?
The enzymatic system of aerobic bacteria detoxifies mercury compounds such as methyl-
mercury via the enzymes organomercurial lyase (MerB) and mercuric ion reductase.

7. What is the fate of most nitrogen used in agricultural applications?

In agricultural systems, fertilizers are used extensively to increase plant production, but
unused nitrogen, usually in the form of nitrate, can leach out of the soil, enter streams and
rivers, and ultimately make its way into our drinking water.

8. Why are the OMZs expanding and what are the likely impacts on nutrient cycles?
Oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) have substantial effects on the global ecology and
biogeochemical processes of marine microbes. However, the diversity and activity of
OMZ microbes and their trophic interactions are only starting to be documented,
especially in regard to the potential roles of viruses and protists. OMZs have expanded
over the past 60 years and are predicted to expand due to anthropogenic climate change,
furthering the need to understand these regions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXWurAmtf78