In Victoria, Australia, researchers from Melbourne have made a significant discovery about how microbes help reduce carbon monoxide (CO) levels in the atmosphere. Each year, over two billion tonnes of CO are released globally, but microbes consume about 250 million tonnes, making the air safer. This study, led by Monash University and published in Nature Chemical Biology, explains how microbes use an enzyme called CO dehydrogenase to extract energy from CO.
Co-first author Ashleigh Kropp from Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and the University of Melbourne's Grinter lab explained that this enzyme allows microbes to consume CO, inadvertently helping humans by cleaning the air. Dr. David Gillett, another co-first author, highlighted this as an example of microbial ingenuity, where life turns something toxic into something useful.
Professor Chris Greening, co-senior author and head of BDI's Global Change Program, emphasized the essential roles microbes play in human and planetary health. Despite being invisible, microbes contribute significantly to making our air breathable by producing oxygen and detoxifying pollutants like CO. Ms. Kropp stressed the importance of understanding and appreciating these microbial contributions to our survival.
Melbourne is a big city in Australia. It's known for its culture, sports, and universities. Researchers there study many things, including how to keep our air clean.
Microbes are tiny living things that are so small you need a microscope to see them. They include bacteria and fungi, and they can be found everywhere, like in soil, water, and even in our bodies.
Carbon monoxide is a gas that is invisible and has no smell. It can be harmful to breathe in large amounts, but some microbes can use it to get energy.
An enzyme is a special protein that helps speed up chemical reactions in living things. In this case, the enzyme CO dehydrogenase helps microbes use carbon monoxide.
CO dehydrogenase is an enzyme that helps microbes break down carbon monoxide. This process helps clean the air by reducing pollution.
Global warming is when the Earth's temperature gets hotter over time. It happens because of pollution and gases like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide trapping heat in the atmosphere.
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