Methane formation and cellulose digestion — biochemical ecology and microbiology of the rumen ecosystem

  • R. E. Hungate
Chapter
Part of the EXS 43: Experientia Supplementum book series (EXS, volume 43)

Abstract

In postulates1 on the Earth’s origin, gaseous chemical elements combined with each other during cooling; compounds with the highest boiling points condensed first, followed by those containing lighter elements. Living material, formed gradually by chemical reactions of the lighter elements and traces of the heavy ones, was peculiar in its tendency to revert to nonliving material unless chemical work maintained its living state. Abundant non-living compounds of C, H, and O also formed in various proportions. The relatively large energy changes involved in the oxido-reduction of these elements equipped them to be agents for the chemical work.

Keywords

Lactic Acid Bacterium Chemical Work Cellulolytic Bacterium Gaseous Chemical Element Fiber Digestion 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer Basel AG 1982

Authors and Affiliations

  • R. E. Hungate
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of BacteriologyUniversity of CaliforniaDavisUSA

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