Filibacter limicola facts for kids

Filibacter limicola is a type of bacterium, which are tiny living things too small to see without a microscope. It is the only known species in its entire genus called Filibacter. This means it's quite unique!

What is Filibacter limicola?

Filibacter limicola is a special kind of bacterium. It was first described in 1985 by scientists Maiden and Jones. The name "limicola" actually means "mud-dwelling," which gives us a clue about where it likes to live.

Tiny Living Things: Bacteria Basics

Bacteria are single-celled organisms. They are everywhere around us, even inside us! Some bacteria can make us sick, but many are helpful. Filibacter limicola is a bacterium that has some interesting features.

What Does 'Gram-Positive' Mean?

Scientists use a special test called a Gram stain to help identify bacteria. If a bacterium is "gram-positive" like Filibacter limicola, it means its cell wall has a certain structure. When stained, these bacteria hold onto a purple dye, making them look purple under a microscope. This helps scientists tell different types of bacteria apart.

Breathing Oxygen: An Aerobic Life

Filibacter limicola is an "aerobic" bacterium. This means it needs oxygen to live and grow, just like humans do! Many living things on Earth need oxygen, and this bacterium is one of them.

Its Unique Shape: Long and Thread-like

This bacterium is described as "filamentous." Imagine a long, thin thread or a chain. That's what Filibacter limicola looks like! It's made up of many cells linked together, forming these long, curved or straight strands.

How Filibacter limicola Moves

One of the coolest things about Filibacter limicola is how it moves. It's a "gliding bacterium." This means it can slide or glide along surfaces without using special tail-like structures called flagella, which many other bacteria use to swim. Scientists are still studying exactly how these bacteria manage to glide so smoothly!