The biology of methanogenic bacteria.

INTRODUCTION .............................................................. METHODS FOR STUDY ...................................................... Isolation and Cultivation Techniques ......................................... Gas Chromatographic Analysis ............................................... GENERAL PROPERTIES ................................................... Species Characteristics .................................................... Selective Enrichment of Genera .............................................. Morphological Variation ..................................................... Fine Structure.............................................................. Coccus-type cells ......................................................... Sarcina-type cells .......................................................... Rod-type cells ............................................................. Spirillum-type cells ........................................................ Taxonomy ................................................................... PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS................................................. Intermediary Metabolism .................................................... Unique biochemical components ............................................ Methane synthesis............; Nature of Autotrophic Growth in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum ...... ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS .................................................... Activities in Nature .......................................................... Microbial Interactions ....................................................... ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................... LITERATURE CITED.........................................................