Carboxysome

Carboxysome

Carboxysome (/kɑːrˈbɒksɪsoʊm/) is a microcompartment present in cyanobacteria and some chemoautotrophs, which serves as the site of carbon dioxide fixation.

Etymology

The term "carboxysome" is derived from the word "carboxylate," referring to the carboxylate groups of the enzymes enclosed within these structures, and "-some," a suffix used in biology to denote a body or structure.

Structure and Function

Carboxysomes are polyhedral bodies, approximately 100-150 nm in diameter, composed of a protein shell that encapsulates key enzymes involved in the Calvin cycle, including ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) and carbonic anhydrase. The encapsulation of these enzymes within the carboxysome enhances the efficiency of carbon dioxide fixation by concentrating carbon dioxide and minimizing the activity of oxygenase, thereby reducing photorespiration.

Related Terms

• Microcompartment
• Cyanobacteria
• Chemoautotrophs
• Carbon dioxide
• Calvin cycle
• Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase
• Carbonic anhydrase
• Photorespiration

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Carboxysome
• Wikipedia's article - Carboxysome

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