Magnetosome

Magnetosome as is known a magnetic particles in the cells of organisms, which forms the basis for orientation in the magnetic fields ( for example, in the magnetic field of the Earth).

Magnetosomes consist of crystals of magnetite ( Fe3O4) or greigite ( Fe3S4 ), which were formed by biomineralization. They have a diameter of about 40-90 nm, and are surrounded by a monolayer of phospholipids, proteins, and glycoproteins, that of a membrane (also referred to as a membrane unit ) is not the structure has a so-called biomembrane.

The shape of magnetosomes varies greatly between different species. You may be cubic to cuboidal and also brand - or teardrop- shaped. The cell number of magnetosomes are included, the form in chains.

Magnetosomes are found in both prokaryotic, such as the bacterium Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense and Magnetospirillum magnetotacticum, as well as in eukaryotic organisms, such as with algae of the genus Anisonema. Although in other eukaryotes, such as for termites, honeybees ( Apis mellifera ) butterflies, trout, salmon ( genus Oncorhynchus ), eels, dolphins, migratory birds, homing pigeons or humans magnetic particles in cells or tissues in the context of Magnetotaxis / magnetoreception were detected, the presence of magnetosomes in the sense of the above definition, ie as structured membrane-bounded cellular compartments, not ensured with these organisms, however, the expression Magnetosome has been suggested, for example, for the magnetic bodies of the salmon.