Science
Scientists find ‘secret molecule’ that allows bacteria to exhale electricity – Live Science
The soil bacteria breathe through ‘giant snorkels’ made of a special conductive protein, the researchers found.
For mouthless, lungless bacteria, breathing is a bit more complicated than it is for humans. We inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide
; Geobacter a ubiquitous, groundwater-dwelling genus of bacteria swallow up organic waste and “exhale” electrons, generating a tiny electric current
in the process.
Those waste electrons always need somewhere to go (usually into a plentiful underground mineral like iron
oxide), and Geobacter have an unconventional tool to make sure they get there.
“Geobac…
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