methanogen

[ me-than-uh-juhn, -jen ]

noun

, Microbiology.

1. any of a diverse group of widely distributed archaea that occur in anaerobic environments, as the intestinal tracts of animals, freshwater and marine sediments, and sewage, and are capable of producing methane ( def ) from a limited number of substrates, including carbon dioxide and hydrogen, acetate, and methylamines: an important source of natural gas.

Other Words From

• meth·an·o·gen·ic [me-than-, uh, -, jen, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of methanogen¹

First recorded in 1975–80; methan(e) ( def ) + -o- + -gen

Example Sentences

Known as acetogens and methanogens, the microbes developed simple metabolic pathways that use enzyme catalysts to convert CO2 and carbon monoxide into organic molecules.

From Science News

These sulfate-consuming microbes outcompeted methanogens for nutrients such as hydrogen and acetate in the rice soils, the researchers found.

From Science News

Paddy-dwelling methanogens are so prolific that rice fields are estimated to generate about 11 percent of all human-induced methane emissions.

From Science News