Marine Microbes
Marine Microbes - Related Videos
13:51
Analyzing Gene Expression from Marine Microbial Communities using Environmental Transcriptomics
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Cited by 60 •
2009
We present a method for generating cDNA from environmental mRNA. In general, total RNA is first collected from the environment, rRNA is selectively removed, mRNA is selectively amplified, and cDNA synthesized from the enriched mRNA pool is sequenced. Recovered sequences can be annotated using standard bioinformatics techniques to identify the expressed genes.
22:38
Chemotactic Response of Marine Micro-Organisms to Micro-Scale Nutrient Layers
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Cited by 3 •
2007
The fabrication of microfluidic channels and their implementation in experiments for studying the chemotactic foraging behaviour of marine microbes within a patchy nutrient seascape and the swimming behaviour of bacteria within shear flow are described.
16:03
A Fish-feeding Laboratory Bioassay to Assess the Antipredatory Activity of Secondary Metabolites from the Tissues of Marine Organisms
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Cited by 6 •
2015
This bioassay employs a model predatory fish to assess the presence of feeding-deterrent metabolites from organic extracts of the tissues of marine organisms at natural concentrations using a nutritionally comparable food matrix.
15:39
Characterization of Calcification Events Using Live Optical and Electron Microscopy Techniques in a Marine Tubeworm
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Cited by 2 •
2017
We demonstrate the use of various microscopy methods that are useful in observing the calcification of a tubeworm, Hydroides elegans, as well as locating and characterizing the first calcified material. Live microscopy and electron microscopy are used together to provide functional and material information that are important in studying biomineralization.
15:27
Extracting DNA from the Gut Microbes of the Termite (Zootermopsis Angusticollis) and Visualizing Gut Microbes
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Cited by 18 •
2007
This video illustrates the technique for extracting DNA from the species of microbes resident in the termite hindgut. The preparation of a wet mount slide, which is useful for visualizing the gut microbial community is also illustrated, and a tour through the species-rich gut environment is given.
FAQs
Their metabolic activities move elements between biological and chemical forms. Photosynthetic microbes fix carbon dioxide into organic material, while heterotrophic microbes break down that material and release nutrients for reuse. Because carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus transformations occur together, microbial activity links the production, consumption, and recycling processes that sustain marine biological systems.
Photosynthetic microbes introduce newly fixed carbon into marine food webs by using light to convert carbon dioxide into organic material. Heterotrophic microbes process existing organic matter through decomposition, helping recycle nutrients and supporting continued biological production. Together, these contrasting activities connect energy capture with the breakdown and reuse of materials in ocean and coastal environments.
Symbiotic interactions allow different organisms to influence one another through close biological relationships. In marine systems, these relationships can affect how nutrients are acquired, transformed, or transferred among organisms. Their importance extends beyond individual partners because microbial partnerships can shape food-web structure, alter biological productivity, and contribute to the broader functioning of ocean ecosystems.
Photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition alter the movement of carbon and the availability of oxygen in marine environments. These activities therefore connect microscopic biological reactions with large-scale ocean regulation. By changing how organic matter is produced and processed, microbial communities can influence biogeochemical conditions relevant to oxygen balance and climate processes.
Researchers examine microbial activities and the transformations they drive in ocean or coastal environments. Changes in photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, nutrient cycling, or microbial community interactions can provide information about ecosystem functioning. This approach is useful because microbes respond directly to biological and chemical conditions, making their processes relevant indicators when assessing marine ecosystem health.
Marine microbial research supports several goals beyond describing ocean biology. Scientists investigate these organisms to understand climate change, evaluate ecosystem conditions, identify new enzymes and bioactive compounds, and develop biotechnology applications. Their roles in nutrient transformation also inform environmental management, linking fundamental biological research with efforts to understand and manage marine environments.