The magnetotactic bacteria use magnetite, an oxide, not the metal.
Look them up in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetotactic_bacteria
On 6 Oct 2009, at 11:22, Salmaan Craig wrote:
> Thank you very much Tom,
>
> The magnetotactic bacteria sound fascinating! Do you know what
> benefit they draw from orientating themselves so?
>
> We design and consult on the envelopes of buildings, from the
> different material and system options for cladding, to more
> responsive stuff like double-skin facades
>
> Regards
>
> Salmaan
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Engineers and biologists mechanical design list [mailto:[log in to unmask]
> ] On Behalf Of Tom Shelley
> Sent: 06 October 2009 09:46
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Some questions
>
> Dear Salmaan Craig,
> As somebody no longer in research who listens to the group but
> writes about biomimetics occasionally:
> An example of a biological organism that uses reduced pressure to
> catch prey in its traps is bladderwort.
> There are loads of animals that sense heat to catch prey, which is
> in the far infra red.
> As regards metal using organisms, you might care to look up
> magnetotactic bacteria which contain magnetic particles that
> constitute a permanent magnetic dipole and cause each cell to orient
> and migrate along geomagnetic field lines.
> I am sure there are more examples out there.
> What do you do at Façade Engineering may I ask?
> Tom Shelley
> .
>
> Dr T R Shelley, Ph.D., M.A., M.I.M.M.M., C.Eng. F.S.O.E.,
> F.I.Plant.E., Group Technical Editor, Eureka/Plant Engineer/
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>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Engineers and biologists mechanical design list [mailto:[log in to unmask]
> ] On Behalf Of Salmaan Craig
> Sent: 06 October 2009 09:19
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Some questions
>
> Hello,
>
> Are there any instances of vacuums in Biology?
>
> Are there any examples of biological systems that, for some purpose,
> generate or encourage temperatures or pressures that are
> significantly higher or lower than the immediate surroundings?
>
> Are there any examples of biological systems that manipulate
> infrared beyond the solar spectrum (>5 microns wavelength)?
>
> Does Biology use metal at all?
>
> Your responses will be much appreciated,
>
> Salmaan Craig EngD
> Façade Engineering
>
> Buro Happold Ltd
> 17 Newman Street
> London
> W1T 1PD
> UK
>
>
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