What is the Difference Between Microaerophilic and Capnophilic?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between microaerophilic and capnophilic microorganisms lies in their requirements for oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in their environment for optimal growth.
- Microaerophilic microorganisms require a reduced oxygen concentration, typically between 2-10% O2, which is lower than the atmospheric oxygen concentration of about 21%. Many microaerophiles are also capnophiles, requiring an elevated concentration of carbon dioxide, such as Campylobacter species. Examples of microaerophilic bacteria include Campylobacter, Helicobacter pylori, and some Lactobacillus species.
- Capnophilic microorganisms thrive in the presence of high concentrations of carbon dioxide, typically between 5-10% CO2 and approximately 15% O2. Some capnophilic bacteria, such as Haemophilus influenzae, also need about 15% oxygen for their metabolism. Examples of capnophilic bacteria include Campylobacter species, Aggregatibacter spp., and Megasphaera succiniciproducens.
In summary, microaerophilic microorganisms grow under minimum levels of oxygen, while capnophilic microorganisms grow under high concentrations of carbon dioxide. Some capnophilic bacteria are also microaerophiles, as they need both lower oxygen levels and higher carbon dioxide levels for optimal growth.
Comparative Table: Microaerophilic vs Capnophilic
Here is a table comparing the differences between microaerophilic and capnophilic microorganisms:
Characteristic | Microaerophilic | Capnophilic |
---|---|---|
Oxygen Requirement | Require low levels of oxygen to survive, typically around 5-10% | Require high levels of carbon dioxide to survive, typically between 5-10% carbon dioxide and approximately 15% oxygen |
Examples | Campylobacter jejuni, Helicobacter pylori | Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae |
Growth Conditions | Grow best under reduced oxygen tension | Grow best in an environment with elevated carbon dioxide levels |
Overlap | Some microaerophilic microorganisms are also capnophilic | Not all microaerophilic or capnophilic organisms are the same |
Microaerophilic microorganisms require low levels of oxygen to survive, while capnophilic organisms require high levels of carbon dioxide. Some microaerophilic microbes are also capnophilic, but they are not the same, and not all microaerophilic or capnophilic organisms have the same requirements.
- Aerobic vs Anaerobic Microorganisms
- Acidophilic vs Basophilic
- Obligate Aerobes vs Obligate Anaerobes
- Acidophiles Neutrophiles vs Alkaliphiles
- Aerobic vs Anaerobic Bacteria
- Obligate vs Facultative Anaerobe
- Extremophiles vs Hyperthermophiles
- Mesophiles vs Thermophiles
- Methanogens vs Methanotrophs
- Psychrophiles vs Psychrotrophs
- Hypoxia vs Hypercapnia
- Aerobic vs Anaerobic Fermentation
- Saprotrophs vs Saprophytes
- Oxygen vs Carbon Dioxide
- Mammalian vs Microbial Cell Culture
- Acidophilus vs Probiotics
- Cyanobacteria vs Proteobacteria
- Aerobic Respiration vs Anaerobic Respiration
- Mycoplasma vs Mycobacterium