A genus of bacteria that can oxidize carbon monoxide (CO) as an energy source, using it to fuel their metabolism.
From carboxy- (related to carbon compounds) + Greek monos (single) + Latin -monas (unit, bacterium). The name describes bacteria that consume carbon monoxide as their primary fuel.
Carboxydomonas bacteria are biochemical magicians—they extract energy from carbon monoxide, a poison to most life, making them crucial for cleaning up industrial emissions. These microbes could literally help us reverse air pollution on a planetary scale.
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