Dictionary > Alphaproteobacteria

Alphaproteobacteria

Definition
noun
A taxonomic class belonging to the phylum Proteobacteria that includes phototropic proteobacteria, Magnetococcus spp., Rickettsia spp., Rhizobium spp., etc.
Supplement
Proteobacteria is a phylum of the domain Bacteria that includes a great diversity of forms of species. This phylum has six taxonomic classes: (1) Alphaproteobacteria, (2) Betaproteobacteria, (3) Gammaproteobacteria, (4) Deltaproteobacteria, (5) Epsilonproteobacteria, and (6) Zetaproteobacteria.
The Alphaproteobacteria is a taxonomic class of bacteria in the phylum Proteobacteria. Similar to other bacteria of this phylum, most Alphaproteobacteria are gram-negative. The species in this class are highly diverse but they share a common ancestor. Apart from their distinctively common ancestral origin, many of the Alphaproteobacteria are identifiable by their very low level of nutrient requirements for growth. They also have unusual morphology, i.e. forming stalks and buds. Many of them are phototropic. There are also genera that are capable of diverse symbiosis such as with plants (e.g. Rhizobium spp. in mutualism with the roots of legumes and Parasponia) and with arthropods (e.g. Wolbachia spp. as a parasite of the common house mosquito). Some of them are also capable of producing disease, e.g. Rickettsia spp.
The Alphaproteobacteria includes the following subclasses:

  • Magnetococcidae (has one taxonomic order, Magnetococcales)
  • Rickettsidae (includes the Rickettsiales and the Pelagibacterales)
  • Caulobacteridae (includes several taxonomic orders, e.g. Holosporales, Caulobacterales, Parvularculales, Rhizobiales, Rhodobacterales, etc.)

Scientific classification:

  • Domain: Bacteria
  • Phylum: Proteobacteria
  • Class: Alphaproteobacteria
  • See also:

    • Betaproteobacteria
    • Gammaproteobacteria
    • Deltaproteobacteria
    • Epsiolonproteobacteria
    • Zetaproteobacteria

    Mentioned in:

  • Rickettsia prowazekii
  • Bartonella quintana
  • Methanotroph
  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum
  • Azorhizobium caulinodans


  • You will also like...

    Transpiration
    Water in Plants

    The movement of molecules (specifically, water and solutes) is vital to the understanding of plant processes. This tuto..

    Genetic engineering
    Genetic Engineering Advantages & Disadvantages

    This tutorial presents the benefits and the possible adverse eventualities of genetic engineering. Know more about this ..

    Types and Causes of Brain Damage
    Types and Causes of Brain Damage

    This tutorial describes the different types and causes of brain damage. Find out how genetics, physical injury, lack of ..

    Plant biology
    Plant Biology

    Plantlife can be studied at a variety of levels, from the molecular, genetic and biochemical level through organelles, c..

    Cell Respiration
    Cell Respiration

    Cell respiration is the process of creating ATP. It is "respiration" because it utilizes oxygen. Know the different stag..

    Disturbance on a still water
    Abiotic Factors – Water Conditions

    A still body of water may be disturbed by a variety of factors. One of them is wind. In fact, it is considered as the pr..