Figure 4.

Model for the different magneto-aerotactic mechanisms. (A) Illustration of the three magneto-aerotactic mechanisms displayed by the magnetotactic bacteria when the magnetic field B is rotated 180° from antiparallel (position in Northern Hemisphere environments) to parallel to the oxygen gradient. The unipolar model represented here corresponds to the unipolar magneto-aerotactic mechanism directed toward the oxic zone. (B–E) One-dimensional model for the different magneto-aerotactic mechanisms: axial, dipolar, and unipolar (directed toward the oxic zone (D) and directed toward the anoxic zone (E)), respectively. To see this figure in color, go online.