Acetylene
Nitrogenase
Ethane
Nitrogen Fixation
Alkynes
Tungsten
Azotobacter
Nitrosomonas
Hydrocarbons, Acyclic
Ethylenes
Molybdoferredoxin
Nitrous Oxide
Hydrogen
Deltaproteobacteria
Oxidation-Reduction
Azotobacter vinelandii
Methane
Molybdenum
Spirillum
Propane
Ammonia
Comparative phylogeny of rrs and nifH genes in the Bacillaceae. (1/323)
The rrs (16S rDNA) gene sequences of nitrogen-fixing endospore-forming bacilli isolated from the rhizosphere of wheat and maize were determined in order to infer their phylogenetic position in the Bacillaceae. These rhizosphere strains form a monophyletic cluster with Paenibacillus azotofixans, Paenibacillus polymyxa and Paenibacillus macerans. Two of them (RSA19 and TOD45) had previously been identified as Bacillus circulans (group 2) by phenotypic characterization (API 50CH). Evidence for nitrogen fixation by P. azotofixans, P. polymyxa, P. macerans and putative B. circulans strains RSA19 and TOD45 was provided by acetylene-reduction activity, and confirmed by amplifying and sequencing a nifH fragment (370 nt). The phylogenetic tree of nifH-derived amino acid sequences was compared to the phylogenetic tree of rrs sequences. All Paenibacillus nifH sequences formed a coherent cluster distinct from that of related nitrogen-fixing anaerobic clostridia and Gram-positive high-G+C-content frankiae. The nifH gene was neither detected in the B. circulans type strain (ATCC 4513T) nor in the type strains of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus alcalophilus, Bacillus simplex, Brevibacillus brevis and Paenibacillus validus. Accordingly, nitrogen fixation among aerobic endospore-forming Firmicutes seems to be restricted to a subset of species in the genus Paenibacillus. (+info)Evidence for involvement of gut-associated denitrifying bacteria in emission of nitrous oxide (N(2)O) by earthworms obtained from garden and forest soils. (2/323)
Earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa, Lumbricus rubellus, and Octolasion lacteum) obtained from nitrous oxide (N(2)O)-emitting garden soils emitted 0.14 to 0.87 nmol of N(2)O h(-1) g (fresh weight)(-1) under in vivo conditions. L. rubellus obtained from N(2)O-emitting forest soil also emitted N(2)O, which confirmed previous observations (G. R. Karsten and H. L. Drake, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63:1878-1882, 1997). In contrast, commercially obtained Lumbricus terrestris did not emit N(2)O; however, such worms emitted N(2)O when they were fed (i.e., preincubated in) garden soils. A. caliginosa, L. rubellus, and O. lacteum substantially increased the rates of N(2)O emission of garden soil columns and microcosms. Extrapolation of the data to in situ conditions indicated that N(2)O emission by earthworms accounted for approximately 33% of the N(2)O emitted by garden soils. In vivo emission of N(2)O by earthworms obtained from both garden and forest soils was greatly stimulated when worms were moistened with sterile solutions of nitrate or nitrite; in contrast, ammonium did not stimulate in vivo emission of N(2)O. In the presence of nitrate, acetylene increased the N(2)O emission rates of earthworms; in contrast, in the presence of nitrite, acetylene had little or no effect on emission of N(2)O. In vivo emission of N(2)O decreased by 80% when earthworms were preincubated in soil supplemented with streptomycin and tetracycline. On a fresh weight basis, the rates of N(2)O emission of dissected earthworm gut sections were substantially higher than the rates of N(2)O emission of dissected worms lacking gut sections, indicating that N(2)O production occurred in the gut rather than on the worm surface. In contrast to living earthworms and gut sections that produced N(2)O under oxic conditions (i.e., in the presence of air), fresh casts (feces) from N(2)O-emitting earthworms produced N(2)O only under anoxic conditions. Collectively, these results indicate that gut-associated denitrifying bacteria are responsible for the in vivo emission of N(2)O by earthworms and contribute to the N(2)O that is emitted from certain terrestrial ecosystems. (+info)Diversity in butane monooxygenases among butane-grown bacteria. (3/323)
Butane monooxygenases of butane-grown Pseudomonas butanovora, Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5, and an environmental isolate, CF8, were compared at the physiological level. The presence of butane monooxygenases in these bacteria was indicated by the following results. (i) O(2) was required for butane degradation. (ii) 1-Butanol was produced during butane degradation. (iii) Acetylene inhibited both butane oxidation and 1-butanol production. The responses to the known monooxygenase inactivator, ethylene, and inhibitor, allyl thiourea (ATU), discriminated butane degradation among the three bacteria. Ethylene irreversibly inactivated butane oxidation by P. butanovora but not by M. vaccae or CF8. In contrast, butane oxidation by only CF8 was strongly inhibited by ATU. In all three strains of butane-grown bacteria, specific polypeptides were labeled in the presence of [(14)C]acetylene. The [(14)C]acetylene labeling patterns were different among the three bacteria. Exposure of lactate-grown CF8 and P. butanovora and glucose-grown M. vaccae to butane induced butane oxidation activity as well as the specific acetylene-binding polypeptides. Ammonia was oxidized by all three bacteria. P. butanovora oxidized ammonia to hydroxylamine, while CF8 and M. vaccae produced nitrite. All three bacteria oxidized ethylene to ethylene oxide. Methane oxidation was not detected by any of the bacteria. The results indicate the presence of three distinct butane monooxygenases in butane-grown P. butanovora, M. vaccae, and CF8. (+info)Measurement of cardiac output during exercise by open-circuit acetylene uptake. (4/323)
Noninvasive measurement of cardiac output (QT) is problematic during heavy exercise. We report a new approach that avoids unpleasant rebreathing and resultant changes in alveolar PO(2) or PCO(2) by measuring short-term acetylene (C(2)H(2)) uptake by an open-circuit technique, with application of mass balance for the calculation of QT. The method assumes that alveolar and arterial C(2)H(2) pressures are the same, and we account for C(2)H(2) recirculation by extrapolating end-tidal C(2)H(2) back to breath 1 of the maneuver. We correct for incomplete gas mixing by using He in the inspired mixture. The maneuver involves switching the subject to air containing trace amounts of C(2)H(2) and He; ventilation and pressures of He, C(2)H(2), and CO(2) are measured continuously (the latter by mass spectrometer) for 20-25 breaths. Data from three subjects for whom multiple Fick O(2) measurements of QT were available showed that measurement of QT by the Fick method and by the C(2)H(2) technique was statistically similar from rest to 90% of maximal O(2) consumption (VO(2 max)). Data from 12 active women and 12 elite male athletes at rest and 90% of VO(2 max) fell on a single linear relationship, with O(2) consumption (VO(2)) predicting QT values of 9.13, 15.9, 22.6, and 29.4 l/min at VO(2) of 1, 2, 3, and 4 l/min. Mixed venous PO(2) predicted from C(2)H(2)-determined QT, measured VO(2), and arterial O(2) concentration was approximately 20-25 Torr at 90% of VO(2 max) during air breathing and 10-15 Torr during 13% O(2) breathing. This modification of previous gas uptake methods, to avoid rebreathing, produces reasonable data from rest to heavy exercise in normal subjects. (+info)Attributes of atmospheric carbon monoxide oxidation by Maine forest soils. (5/323)
CO, one of the most important trace gases, regulates tropospheric methane, hydroxyl radical, and ozone contents. Ten to 25% of the estimated global CO flux may be consumed by soils annually. Depth profiles for (14)CO oxidation and CO concentration indicated that CO oxidation occurred primarily in surface soils and that photooxidation of soil organic matter did not necessarily contribute significantly to CO fluxes. Kinetic analyses revealed that the apparent K(m) was about 18 nM (17 ppm) and the V(max) was 6.9 micromol g (fresh weight)(-1) h(-1); the apparent K(m) was similar to the apparent K(m) for atmospheric methane consumption, but the V(max) was more than 100 times higher. Atmospheric CO oxidation responded sensitively to soil water regimes; decreases in water content in initially saturated soils resulted in increased uptake, and optimum uptake occurred at water contents of 30 to 60%. However, extended drying led to decreased uptake and net CO production. Rewetting could restore CO uptake, albeit with a pronounced hysteresis. The responses to changing temperatures indicated that the optimum temperature for net uptake was between 20 and 25 degrees C and that there was a transition to net production at temperatures above 30 degrees C. The responses to methyl fluoride and acetylene indicated that populations other than ammonia oxidizers and methanotrophs must be involved in forest soils. The response to acetylene was notable, since the strong initial inhibition was reversed after 12 h of incubation; in contrast, methyl fluoride did not have an inhibitory effect. Ammonium did not inhibit CO uptake; the level of nitrite inhibition was initially substantial, but nitrite inhibition was reversible over time. Nitrite inhibition appeared to occur through indirect effects based on abiological formation of NO. (+info)Noninvasive cardiac output measurement in orthostasis: pulse contour analysis compared with acetylene rebreathing. (6/323)
We tested the reliability of noninvasive cardiac output (CO) measurement in different body positions by pulse contour analysis (CO(pc)) by using a transmission line model (K. H. Wesseling, B. De Wit, J. A. P. Weber, and N. T. Smith. Adv. Cardiol. Phys. 5, Suppl. II: 16-52, 1983). Acetylene rebreathing (CO(rebr)) was used as a reference method. Twelve subjects (age 21-34 yr) were studied: 1) six in whom CO(rebr) and CO(pc) were measured in the standing and 6 degrees head-down tilt (HDT) postures and 2) six in whom CO was measured in the 30 degrees HDT, supine, 30 degrees head up-tilt (HUT), and 70 degrees HUT postures on a tilt table. The CO(rebr)-to-CO(pc) ratio in (near) the supine position during rebreathing was used as the calibration factor for CO(pc) measurements. Calibrated CO(pc) (CO(cal sup)) consistently overestimated CO in the upright posture. The drop in CO with upright posture was underestimated by approximately 50%. CO(cal sup) and CO(rebr) values did not differ in the 30 degrees HDT position. Changes in the CO(rebr)-to-CO(pc) ratio are highly variable among subjects in response to a change in posture. Therefore, CO(pc) must be recalibrated for each subject in each posture. (+info)Two forms of nitrogenase from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum. (7/323)
Acetylene reduction by nitrogenase from Rhodospirillum rubrum, unlike that by other nitrogenases, was recently found by other investigators to require an activation of the iron protein of nitrogenase by an activating system comprising a chromatophore membrane component, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), and divalent metal ions. In an extension of this work, we observed that the same activating system was also required for nitrogenase-linked H(2) evolution. However, we found that, depending on their nitrogen nutrition regime, R. rubrum cells produced two forms of nitrogenase that differed in their Fe protein components. Cells whose nitrogen supply was totally exhausted before harvest yielded predominantly a form of nitrogenase (A) whose enzymatic activity was not governed by the activating system, whereas cells supplied up to harvest time with N(2) or glutamate yielded predominantly a form of nitrogenase (R) whose enzymatic activity was regulated by the activating system. An unexpected finding was the rapid (less than 10 min in some cases) intracellular conversion of nitrogenase A to nitrogenase R brought about by the addition to nitrogen-starved cells of glutamine, asparagine, or, particularly, ammonia. This finding suggests that mechanisms other than de novo protein synthesis were involved in the conversion of nitrogenase A to the R form. The molecular weights of the Fe protein and Mo-Fe protein components from nitrogenases A and R were the same. However, nitrogenase A appeared to be larger in size, because it had more Fe protein units per Mo-Fe protein than did nitrogenase R. A distinguishing property of the Fe protein from nitrogenase R was its ATP requirement. When combined with the Mo-Fe protein (from either nitrogenase A or nitrogenase R), the R form of Fe protein required a lower ATP concentration but bound or utilized more ATP molecules during acetylene reduction than did the A form of Fe protein. No differences between the Fe proteins from the two forms of nitrogenase were found in the electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum, midpoint oxidation-reduction potential, or sensitivity to iron chelators. (+info)Measurement in vivo of hydrogenase-catalysed hydrogen evolution in the presence of nitrogenase enzyme in cyanobacteria. (8/323)
A method was devised that allows measurement in vivo of hydrogenase-catalysed H2 evolution from the cyanobacterium Anabaena cylindrica, independent of nitrogenase activity, which is also present. Addition of low concentrations of reduced Methyl Viologen (1-10mM) to intact heterocystous filaments of the organism resulted in H2 evolution, but produced conditions giving total inhibition of nitrogenase (acetylene-reducing and H2-evolving) activity. That the H2 formed under these conditions was not contributed to by nitrogenase was also supported by the observation that its rate of formation was similar in the dark or with Ar replaced by N2 in the gas phase, and also in view of the pattern of H2 evolution at very low Methyl Viologen concentrations. Conclusive evidence that the H2 formed in the presence of Methyl Viologen was solely hydrogenase-mediated was its evolution even from nitrogenase-free (non-heterocystous) cultures; by contrast 'uptake' hydrogenase activity in such cultures was greatly decreased. The hydrogenase activity was inhibited by CO and little affected by acetylene. Finally the hydrogenase activity was shown to be relatively constant at different stages during the batch growth of the organism, as opposed to nitrogenase activity, which varied. (+info)Acetylene is defined as a colorless, highly flammable gas with a distinctive odor, having the chemical formula C2H2. It is the simplest and lightest hydrocarbon in which two carbon atoms are bonded together by a triple bond. Acetylene is used as a fuel in welding and cutting torches, and it can also be converted into other chemicals, such as vinyl acetate and acetic acid. In medical terms, acetylene is not a substance that is commonly used or discussed.
Nitrogenase is not a medical term, but a biological term used in the field of microbiology and biochemistry. It refers to an enzyme complex found in certain bacteria and archaea that have the ability to fix nitrogen gas (N2) from the atmosphere into ammonia (NH3), a form of nitrogen that can be utilized by plants and other organisms for growth and development. This process is known as biological nitrogen fixation, which is essential for maintaining the global nitrogen cycle and supporting life on Earth.
The medical field may refer to nitrogenase in relation to human health in the context of understanding the role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soil fertility and their impact on agriculture and food production. However, there is no direct medical definition or application for nitrogenase.
Ethane is not a medical term, but it is a chemical compound that is part of the human environment. Ethane is a hydrocarbon, which means it contains only hydrogen and carbon atoms. Specifically, ethane is made up of two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms (C2H6). It is a colorless gas at room temperature and has no smell or taste.
In the context of human health, ethane is not considered to be harmful in small amounts. However, exposure to high levels of ethane can cause respiratory irritation and other symptoms. Ethane is also a greenhouse gas, which means that it contributes to global warming when released into the atmosphere.
Ethane is produced naturally during the breakdown of organic matter, such as plants and animals. It is also produced in small amounts during the digestion of food in the human body. However, most ethane used in industry is extracted from natural gas and petroleum deposits. Ethane is used as a fuel and as a raw material in the production of plastics and other chemicals.
Nitrogen fixation is a process by which nitrogen gas (N2) in the air is converted into ammonia (NH3) or other chemically reactive forms, making it available to plants and other organisms for use as a nutrient. This process is essential for the nitrogen cycle and for the growth of many types of plants, as most plants cannot utilize nitrogen gas directly from the air.
In the medical field, nitrogen fixation is not a commonly used term. However, in the context of microbiology and infectious diseases, some bacteria are capable of fixing nitrogen and this ability can contribute to their pathogenicity. For example, certain species of bacteria that colonize the human body, such as those found in the gut or on the skin, may be able to fix nitrogen and use it for their own growth and survival. In some cases, these bacteria may also release fixed nitrogen into the environment, which can have implications for the ecology and health of the host and surrounding ecosystems.
Alkynes are a type of hydrocarbons that contain at least one carbon-carbon triple bond in their molecular structure. The general chemical formula for alkynes is CnH2n-2, where n represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.
The simplest and shortest alkyne is ethyne, also known as acetylene, which has two carbon atoms and four hydrogen atoms (C2H2). Ethyne is a gas at room temperature and pressure, and it is commonly used as a fuel in welding torches.
Alkynes are unsaturated hydrocarbons, meaning that they have the potential to undergo chemical reactions that add atoms or groups of atoms to the molecule. In particular, alkynes can be converted into alkenes (hydrocarbons with a carbon-carbon double bond) through a process called partial reduction, or they can be fully reduced to alkanes (hydrocarbons with only single bonds between carbon atoms) through a process called complete reduction.
Alkynes are important intermediates in the chemical industry and are used to produce a wide range of products, including plastics, resins, fibers, and pharmaceuticals. They can be synthesized from other hydrocarbons through various chemical reactions, such as dehydrogenation, oxidative coupling, or metathesis.
I'm sorry for any confusion, but 'Tungsten' is not a medical term. It is a chemical element with the symbol W and atomic number 74. Tungsten is a rare metal found naturally on Earth, and it has many industrial uses due to its hardness, high density, and high melting point.
In the context of medicine or healthcare, tungsten may be encountered in certain medical devices, such as X-ray tubes and electrodes, where its properties are utilized for their durability and heat resistance. However, it is not a term that would typically have a formal medical definition.
'Azotobacter' is a genus of free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria commonly found in soil and water. These bacteria are capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, a process known as nitrogen fixation, which can then be used by plants for growth. The name 'Azotobacter' comes from the Greek words "azoto," meaning without life, and "bakterion," meaning little rod.
The bacteria are characterized by their ability to form cysts or thick-walled resting stages that allow them to survive in unfavorable conditions such as dryness or high temperatures. They are also known for their large size, typically ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 micrometers in diameter, and their motility, which is powered by a single polar flagellum.
'Azotobacter' species are important contributors to the nitrogen cycle in soil and play a crucial role in maintaining soil fertility. They have also been studied for their potential use in various industrial applications, such as the production of biofuels, bioplastics, and enzymes.
"Nitrosomonas" is a genus of Gram-negative, aerobic bacteria that are capable of oxidizing ammonia to nitrite as part of the nitrogen cycle. These bacteria play a crucial role in nitrification, a process that converts harmful ammonia into less toxic forms. They are commonly found in various environments such as soil, freshwater, and oceans, where they help maintain nutrient balance. The genus "Nitrosomonas" belongs to the family Methylocystaceae within the class Alphaproteobacteria. It's important to note that while these bacteria have medical relevance in understanding environmental and ecological systems, they are not typically associated with human diseases or infections.
Acyclic hydrocarbons, also known as aliphatic hydrocarbons, are organic compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon atoms. They are characterized by the absence of aromatic rings or cyclic structures in their molecular structure. Instead, they contain open chains of carbon atoms that are saturated (containing only single bonds) or unsaturated (containing double or triple bonds).
Acyclic hydrocarbons can be further classified into several subcategories based on the nature and arrangement of their carbon-carbon bonds. These include:
* Alkanes: saturated acyclic hydrocarbons with only single bonds between carbon atoms (e.g., methane, ethane, propane, butane)
* Alkenes: unsaturated acyclic hydrocarbons containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond (e.g., ethene, propene, butene)
* Alkynes: unsaturated acyclic hydrocarbons containing at least one carbon-carbon triple bond (e.g., ethyne, propyne, butyne)
Acyclic hydrocarbons are important components of fossil fuels such as natural gas, crude oil, and coal. They are also used in the production of a wide range of chemicals, materials, and consumer products, including plastics, synthetic fibers, solvents, and fuels.
I believe there might be a misunderstanding in your question. "Ethylenes" is not a medical term or a medical condition. Ethylene is actually a colorless gas with a sweet and musky odor, which belongs to the class of hydrocarbons called alkenes. It is used widely in industry, including the production of polyethylene, antifreeze, and other chemicals.
However, if you meant something else or need information on a specific medical topic related to ethylene or its derivatives, please provide more context or clarify your question, and I would be happy to help.
Molybdoferredoxin is not a widely recognized medical term, but it is a term used in biochemistry and molecular biology to describe a type of protein that contains molybdenum and iron-sulfur clusters as cofactors. These proteins are involved in various redox reactions in the body, particularly in the metabolism of certain amino acids, nucleotides, and other small molecules.
Molybdoferredoxins are found in many organisms, including bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes (including humans). In humans, molybdoferredoxins play important roles in several metabolic pathways, such as the oxidation of sulfite to sulfate and the reduction of nitrate to nitrite.
Deficiencies or mutations in molybdoferredoxin-related genes can lead to various metabolic disorders, including molybdenum cofactor deficiency, a rare genetic disorder that affects multiple enzymes requiring molybdenum as a cofactor.
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a colorless and non-flammable gas with a slightly sweet odor and taste. In medicine, it's commonly used for its anesthetic and pain reducing effects. It is often used in dental procedures, surgery, and childbirth to help reduce anxiety and provide mild sedation. Nitrous oxide works by binding to the hemoglobin in red blood cells, which reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, but this effect is usually not significant at the low concentrations used for analgesia and anxiolysis. It's also considered relatively safe when administered by a trained medical professional because it does not cause depression of the respiratory system or cardiovascular function.
I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Hydrogen" is not a medical term. It is a chemical element with the symbol H and atomic number 1. It is the lightest and most abundant chemical element in the universe, making up about 75% of its elemental mass.
In a medical context, hydrogen can be discussed in terms of molecular hydrogen (H2) which has been studied for potential therapeutic benefits. Some research explores its use as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, but more studies are needed to confirm these effects and understand the mechanisms behind them.
Deltaproteobacteria is a class of proteobacteria, which are a group of gram-negative bacteria. Deltaproteobacteria are characterized by their unique arrangement of flagella and their ability to perform anaerobic respiration, which means they can grow without oxygen. They play important roles in various environments such as soil, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, where they are involved in processes like sulfur cycling and denitrification. Some members of this class are also known to cause diseases in humans, such as the genera Myxococcus, Bdellovibrio, and Desulfovibrio.
Oxidation-Reduction (redox) reactions are a type of chemical reaction involving a transfer of electrons between two species. The substance that loses electrons in the reaction is oxidized, and the substance that gains electrons is reduced. Oxidation and reduction always occur together in a redox reaction, hence the term "oxidation-reduction."
In biological systems, redox reactions play a crucial role in many cellular processes, including energy production, metabolism, and signaling. The transfer of electrons in these reactions is often facilitated by specialized molecules called electron carriers, such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+/NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD/FADH2).
The oxidation state of an element in a compound is a measure of the number of electrons that have been gained or lost relative to its neutral state. In redox reactions, the oxidation state of one or more elements changes as they gain or lose electrons. The substance that is oxidized has a higher oxidation state, while the substance that is reduced has a lower oxidation state.
Overall, oxidation-reduction reactions are fundamental to the functioning of living organisms and are involved in many important biological processes.
'Azotobacter vinelandii' is a species of free-living, nitrogen-fixing bacteria that is commonly found in soil and freshwater environments. The name 'Azotobacter' comes from the Greek words "azoto," meaning "nitrogen," and "bakterion," meaning "rod" or "staff," while "vinelandii" refers to Vineland, New Jersey, where the bacterium was first isolated.
'Azotobacter vinelandii' is known for its ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) into ammonia (NH3), a process called nitrogen fixation. This makes it an important contributor to the global nitrogen cycle and a valuable tool in agricultural and industrial applications.
In addition to its nitrogen-fixing abilities, 'Azotobacter vinelandii' is also known for its resistance to desiccation, high tolerance to oxygen levels, and ability to produce various extracellular polysaccharides and enzymes. These characteristics make it a popular model organism for studying bacterial metabolism, stress responses, and genetic regulation.
Overall, 'Azotobacter vinelandii' is a fascinating and important microorganism with significant implications for our understanding of the nitrogen cycle, environmental biology, and potential industrial applications.
Methane is not a medical term, but it is a chemical compound that is often mentioned in the context of medicine and health. Medically, methane is significant because it is one of the gases produced by anaerobic microorganisms during the breakdown of organic matter in the gut, leading to conditions such as bloating, cramping, and diarrhea. Excessive production of methane can also be a symptom of certain digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
In broader terms, methane is a colorless, odorless gas that is the primary component of natural gas. It is produced naturally by the decomposition of organic matter in anaerobic conditions, such as in landfills, wetlands, and the digestive tracts of animals like cows and humans. Methane is also a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 25 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year time frame.
I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Molybdenum" is not a medical term. It is an element with the symbol Mo and atomic number 42 on the periodic table. Molybdenum is used in various industries, including medicine, for example in the production of surgical instruments and some prosthetics due to its strength and resistance to corrosion. However, it is not a term used to describe a medical condition or bodily process. If you have any questions related to elements and their uses in medicine, I'd be happy to help with those!
Spirillum is a genus of gram-negative, spiral-shaped bacteria. These bacteria are motile with flagella located at both ends of the organism, which gives them a corkscrew-like movement. Spirilla are typically found in aquatic environments and can cause disease in humans and animals, although they are less common than other bacterial pathogens. The most well-known species is Spirillum minus, which causes spirillosis, a rare disease characterized by fever, headache, and skin lesions. However, it's important to note that the study of Spirillum has contributed significantly to our understanding of bacterial motility and structure.
I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Propane" is not a medical term. It is a chemical compound commonly used as a fuel for heating, cooking, and engines. Propane is a gas at room temperature and pressure, but it can be liquefied under moderate pressure and stored in cylinders or tanks.
If you have any questions about a medical term or concept, I'd be happy to try to help answer those for you!
Ammonia is a colorless, pungent-smelling gas with the chemical formula NH3. It is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen and is a basic compound, meaning it has a pH greater than 7. Ammonia is naturally found in the environment and is produced by the breakdown of organic matter, such as animal waste and decomposing plants. In the medical field, ammonia is most commonly discussed in relation to its role in human metabolism and its potential toxicity.
In the body, ammonia is produced as a byproduct of protein metabolism and is typically converted to urea in the liver and excreted in the urine. However, if the liver is not functioning properly or if there is an excess of protein in the diet, ammonia can accumulate in the blood and cause a condition called hyperammonemia. Hyperammonemia can lead to serious neurological symptoms, such as confusion, seizures, and coma, and is treated by lowering the level of ammonia in the blood through medications, dietary changes, and dialysis.
Nitrogen is not typically referred to as a medical term, but it is an element that is crucial to medicine and human life.
In a medical context, nitrogen is often mentioned in relation to gas analysis, respiratory therapy, or medical gases. Nitrogen (N) is a colorless, odorless, and nonreactive gas that makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere. It is an essential element for various biological processes, such as the growth and maintenance of organisms, because it is a key component of amino acids, nucleic acids, and other organic compounds.
In some medical applications, nitrogen is used to displace oxygen in a mixture to create a controlled environment with reduced oxygen levels (hypoxic conditions) for therapeutic purposes, such as in certain types of hyperbaric chambers. Additionally, nitrogen gas is sometimes used in cryotherapy, where extremely low temperatures are applied to tissues to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation.
However, it's important to note that breathing pure nitrogen can be dangerous, as it can lead to unconsciousness and even death due to lack of oxygen (asphyxiation) within minutes.
Acetylene