Animal Pavillion


Methane Producer



Click here to see a JPEG of this microbe.

Kingdom: Archaebacterium
Scientific Name: Methanosarcina
Image Courtesy of: Dazzo, Frank; Yokoyama, Mel
Image Width: 7 microns
Image Technology: Light Microscopy

This microbe thrives where there is no oxygen. Places lacking oxygen are called anaerobic. Methane producers live in swamps, in the guts of cows and deer, in human bowels, and in sewage. This microbe, known as a methanogen, produces methane, also known as swampgas. Other microbes that live in anaerobic environments give off acetate, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide as wastes. Methanosarcina consumes these biproducts to get energy for itself. It then gives off methane gas.