Rhizobium
Rhizobium
Rhizobium (pronunciation: /raɪˈzoʊbiəm/) is a genus of Gram-negative soil bacteria that fix nitrogen. Rhizobium forms an endosymbiotic nitrogen-fixing association with roots of legumes and Parasponia. The bacteria colonize plant cells within root nodules, where they convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia using the enzyme nitrogenase and then provide organic nitrogenous compounds such as amino acids to the plant. The plant, in turn, provides the bacteria with organic compounds made by photosynthesis. This mutually beneficial relationship is true of all of the rhizobia, of which the Rhizobium genus is a typical example.
Etymology
The term "Rhizobium" comes from the Greek words "rhiza" meaning "root" and "bios" meaning "life". This refers to the bacteria's ability to live symbiotically with plant roots.
Related Terms
- Nitrogen fixation: The process by which nitrogen in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia.
- Legumes: A plant family that forms a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium.
- Parasponia: The only non-legume plant that can form nitrogen-fixing nodules with Rhizobium.
- Symbiosis: A close and long-term biological interaction between two different biological organisms.
- Root nodules: The part of the plant where Rhizobium bacteria live and convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia.
- Ammonia: A compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula NH3. It is a byproduct of the nitrogen fixation process.
- Nitrogenase: The enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of nitrogen to ammonia.
- Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of carbon dioxide and water.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Rhizobium
- Wikipedia's article - Rhizobium
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