Metabolic trade-offs constrain the cell size ratio in a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38471501/)

These scientists studied a special process called biological nitrogen fixation, which is important for living things to get the nitrogen they need to grow. They looked at a type of algae called Braarudosphaera bigelowii, which has tiny bacteria living inside them that help them with this process. These bacteria are like tiny factories that help the algae grow.

The scientists found that the size of these bacteria compared to the algae is very similar across different types of algae. This is similar to how different parts of our body, like our organs, have specific sizes compared to each other. By using computer models, the scientists discovered that this size relationship helps the algae and bacteria work together efficiently to grow.

In simple terms, the scientists found that these tiny bacteria living inside the algae are like special parts of the algae that help them grow better. This study helps us understand how these organisms work together and how they have evolved to help each other grow.

Cornejo-Castillo FM., Inomura K., Zehr JP., Follows MJ. Metabolic trade-offs constrain the cell size ratio in a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis. Cell. 2024 Mar 28;187(7):1762-1768.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.02.016. Epub 2024 Mar 11.