细菌之间的“交流”可能影响地球气候

时间：2011-10-13 02:13:00

（单词翻译:单击）

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) scientists have discovered that bacterial1 communication could have a significant impact on the planet's climate. In the ocean, bacteria coalesce2（合并，结合） on tiny particles of carbon-rich detritus3（碎石） sinking through the depths. WHOI marine4 biogeochemists Laura Hmelo, Benjamin Van Mooy, and Tracy Mincer5 found that these bacteria send out chemical signals to discern if other bacteria are in the neighborhood. If enough of their cohorts are nearby, then bacteria en masse commence secreting6 enzymes7 that break up the carbon-containing molecules8 within the particles into more digestible bits. It has been suggested that coordinated9 expression of enzymes is very advantageous10 for bacteria on sinking particles, and Hmelo and her colleagues have uncovered the first proof of this in the ocean.

"We don't often think about bacteria making group decisions, but that is exactly what our data suggest is happening," said Hmelo, now at the University of Washington.

The paper is published in the current online, "early view," issue of Environmental Microbiology Reports.

The source of carbon in the particles is atmospheric11 carbon dioxide, a heat-trapping greenhouse gas. Bacterial communication could lead to the release of carbon from the particles at shallower depths, rather than sinking to the ocean's depths. According to the WHOI scientists, this means that bacterial communication results in less carbon dioxide being drawn12 out of the air and transferred to the bottom of the ocean from where it cannot easily return to the atmosphere. This represents the first evidence that bacterial communication plays a crucial role in Earth's carbon cycle.

"So microscopic13 bacteria buffer14 the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through their 'conversations,' " Van Mooy said. "I think it's amazing that there are a near- infinite number of these conversations going on in the ocean right now, and they are affecting Earth's carbon cycle."

The work was funded by the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval15 Research.


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1 bacterial dy5z8q     
a.细菌的
参考例句：
  • Bacterial reproduction is accelerated in weightless space. 在失重的空间，细菌繁殖加快了。
  • Brain lesions can be caused by bacterial infections. 大脑损伤可能由细菌感染引起。
2 coalesce oWhyj     
v.联合，结合，合并
参考例句：
  • And these rings of gas would then eventually coalesce and form the planets.这些气体环最后终于凝结形成行星。
  • They will probably collide again and again until they coalesce.他们可能会一次又一次地发生碰撞，直到他们合并。
3 detritus J9dyA     
n.碎石
参考例句：
  • Detritus usually consists of gravel, sand and clay.岩屑通常是由砂砾，沙和粘土组成的。
  • A channel is no sooner cut than it chokes in its own detritus.一个河道刚被切割了不久，很快又被它自己的碎屑物质所充塞。
4 marine 77Izo     
adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵
参考例句：
  • Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
  • When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。
5 mincer 635a9be2fa6bb2c10f98ca936a5aa7f6     
n.粉碎机
参考例句：
  • With a household food mincer, one can cook many kinds of food for immediate consumption. 有了家用食品粉碎机，很多食品都可以现做现吃了。
6 secreting 47e7bdbfbae077baace25c92a8fda97d     
v.（尤指动物或植物器官）分泌( secrete的现在分词 )；隐匿，隐藏
参考例句：
  • It is also an endocrine gland secreting at least two important hormones. 它也是一种内分泌腺，至少分泌二种重要的激素。 来自辞典例句
  • And some calcite-secreting organisms also add magnesium to the mix. 有些分泌方解石的生物，会在分泌物中加入镁。 来自互联网
7 enzymes 7881ad8ce9c83424f7874e70266ed2d8     
n. 酶，酵素
参考例句：
  • It was said that washing powders containing enzymes remove stains more efficiently. 据说加酶洗衣粉除污更有效。
  • Among the enzymes which are particularly effective are pepsin, papain. 在酶当中特别有效的是胃朊酶、木瓜酶。
8 molecules 187c25e49d45ad10b2f266c1fa7a8d49     
分子( molecule的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • The structure of molecules can be seen under an electron microscope. 分子的结构可在电子显微镜下观察到。
  • Inside the reactor the large molecules are cracked into smaller molecules. 在反应堆里，大分子裂变为小分子。
9 coordinated 72452d15f78aec5878c1559a1fbb5383     
adj.协调的
参考例句：
  • The sound has to be coordinated with the picture. 声音必须和画面协调一致。
  • The numerous existing statutes are complicated and poorly coordinated. 目前繁多的法令既十分复杂又缺乏快调。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法
10 advantageous BK5yp     
adj.有利的；有帮助的
参考例句：
  • Injections of vitamin C are obviously advantageous.注射维生素C显然是有利的。
  • You're in a very advantageous position.你处于非常有利的地位。
11 atmospheric 6eayR     
adj.大气的，空气的；大气层的；大气所引起的
参考例句：
  • Sea surface temperatures and atmospheric circulation are strongly coupled.海洋表面温度与大气环流是密切相关的。
  • Clouds return radiant energy to the surface primarily via the atmospheric window.云主要通过大气窗区向地表辐射能量。
12 drawn MuXzIi     
v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的
参考例句：
  • All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
13 microscopic nDrxq     
adj.微小的，细微的，极小的，显微的
参考例句：
  • It's impossible to read his microscopic handwriting.不可能看清他那极小的书写字迹。
  • A plant's lungs are the microscopic pores in its leaves.植物的肺就是其叶片上微细的气孔。
14 buffer IxYz0B     
n.起缓冲作用的人(或物)，缓冲器；vt.缓冲
参考例句：
  • A little money can be a useful buffer in time of need.在急需时，很少一点钱就能解燃眉之急。
  • Romantic love will buffer you against life's hardships.浪漫的爱会减轻生活的艰辛。
15 naval h1lyU     
adj.海军的，军舰的，船的
参考例句：
  • He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
  • The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

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