The earth has a magnetic field. please answer all questions. thank you (c) For t

Question

The earth has a magnetic field.

please answer all questions. thank you

(c) For the anaerobic bacterium in Massachusetts to swim away from an oxygen rich environment, should it swim in the direction of the magnetic field, or in a direction opposite to the magnetic field? in the direction of the field I J opposite in direction to the field (d) If the Massachusetts anaerobic bacteria are taken to a pond in Brazil, what do you suppose w happen to them? LApart from being fingerprinted on entry at the airport, we mean) taken to a pond in Brazil, what do you suppose will (e) Closely related species of these bacteria are also found all over the world. If you are gi unmarked vial containing Brazilian bacteria, and another unmarked vial contai bacteria, and you have access only to a microscope and a bar magnet with the poles clearly marked, can you identify which is which? If so, how? ven an ing Brazilian bacteria, and another unmarked vial containing Massachusetts

Explanation / Answer

(a)

Massachusetts is in north hemisphere, so the earth’s magnetic field points vertically downwards. The bacteria will swim downwards in the direction of magnetic field

(b)

Magnetotactic bacteria orient and migrate along geomagnetic field lines. Each cell contains magnetosomes, which are membrane-enclosed, nano-scale, iron-mineral crystals. The magnetosomes are typically arranged in one or more chains, with the chain orientation close to the axis of motility of the cell. The chain of magnetosomes constitutes a permanent magnetic dipole in each cell that causes the cell to remain oriented along the local magnetic field as the bacterium swims.

Massachusetts is in north hemisphere, so the Magnetotactic bacteria when they swim forward they will swim down into areas with less oxygen.

Brazil is in Southern Hemisphere and the geomagnetic lines point vertically upwards. In the Southern Hemisphere, magnetotactic bacteria swimming to the geomagnetic north would lead bacteria upward toward more highly oxygenated water. For this reason anaerobic bacteria in the Southern Hemisphere have adapted by moving in the opposite direction than their brethren in the North.

(c)

Magnetotactic bacteria orient and migrate along geomagnetic field lines, irrespective of being a Massachusetts bacteria or a Brazilian bacteria. So they orient along the Earth’s magnetic field, from south to north. For this reason, we cannot differentiate between the two bacterium.

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