User:Timochui/sandbox

Critiquing Article: Heterotroph
Throughout the article, the author utilizes an impartial tone of speech and avoids any usage of persuasion or personal opinions; close paraphrasing and plagiarism are also completely absent.

The wiki page is in a clear-cut structure with headings above each new section, but several paragraphs appear to be out of place; for instance, the fourth paragraph expands on detritivores, a specific type of heterotrophs, but the author does not introduce this idea under the “Type” subsection. Under the “Ecology” subsection, the author should expand on heterotrophs’ ecological role, specifically mentioning how heterotrophs are responsible for the decomposition and mineralization of organic materials back to their inorganic forms, and supply examples (i.e. deamination is the conversion of organic nitrogen to ammonium). Furthermore, the author should state that some heterotrophs can only use a limited range of organic compound as energy source – versatile versus specialized – under the “Type” subsection.

This article demonstrates both notability and verifiability required by Wikipedia. The hyperlinks are active and correct, and are also aptly placed throughout the page. In addition, the number of sources and references is adequate and reliable (Merriam-Webster dictionary, textbooks, and peer-reviewed articles). However, the author did not cite sufficiently; for instance, the second and third paragraphs compare chemoheterotroph, photoheterotroph, and lithotroph, but it is uncertain where the information was obtained from.

The talk page shows that other Wikipedia users have contributed to this article and gave constructive criticisms and suggestions. It also shows that the author has resolved any misleading or inaccurate information Timochui (talk) 01:46, 17 September 2017 (UTC)

Assignment 3+5: Final edit of my article
Original - "Nitrospira" .............................................................................................................................

Nitrospira is a genus of bacteria in the phylum Nitrospirae. The first member of this genus was described 1986 by Watson et al. isolated from the Gulf of Maine. The bacterium was named Nitrospira marina. The second member of this genus was discovered in 1995 from a corroded iron pipe in a Moscow heating system.. The bacterium was named Nitrospira moscoviensis and is a gram-negative nitrite-oxidising organism with a helical to vibroid morphology 0.9–2.2 × 0.2–0.4 micrometres in size. Members of Nitrospira with the capabilities to perform complete nitrification (Comammox bacteria) has also been discovered.

Morphology
For the following description, Nitrospira moscoviensis will be representative of the Nitrospira genus. Nitrospira is a gram-negative nitrite-oxidising organism with a helical to vibroid morphology (0.9–2.2 × 0.2–0.4 micrometres in size). They are non-planktonic organisms that reside as clumps, known as aggregates, in biofilms. Visualization using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirms star-like protrusions on the outer membrane (6-8 nm thick). The periplasmic space is exceptionally wide (34-41 nm thick), which provides space to accommodate electron-rich molecules. Electron-deprived structures are located in the cytosol and are believed to be glycogen storage vesicles; polyhydroxybutyrate and polyphosphate granules are also identified in the cytoplasm. DNA analysis determined 56.9 +/- 0.4 mol% of the DNA to be guanine and cytosine base pairs.

General Metabolism
Nitrospira are capable of aerobic hydrogen oxidation and nitrite oxidation to obtain electrons, but high concentrations of nitrite have shown to inhibit their growth. The optimal temperature for nitrite oxidation and growth in Nitrospira moscoviensis is 39°C (can range from 33-44°C) at a pH range of 7.6-8.0 Despite being commonly classified as obligate chemolithotrophs, some are capable of mixotrophy. For instance, under different environments, Nitrospira can choose to assimilate carbon by carbon fixation or by consuming organic molecules (glycerol, pyruvate, or formate ). New studies also show that Nitrospira can use urea as a source of nutrient. Urease encoded within their genome can break urea down to and ammonia. The can be assimilated by anabolism while the ammonia and organic by-product released by Nitrospira allow ammonium oxidizers and other microbes to co-exist in the same microenvironment.