Editing Thiomargarita namibiensis (section)

== Size Adaption ==
Bacteria, on average, are significantly smaller in size than ''Thiomargarita namibiensis.'' The smaller the size of a cell, the quicker it can reproduce and diffuse nutrients, and the higher the likelihood the biomolecule will almost immediately reach its site of activity.<ref name=":0" /> Despite the large size of ''T. namibiensis,'' its primary mechanism for nutrient uptake is still through normal diffusion.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Thiomargarita namibiensis - microbewiki |url=https://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Thiomargarita_namibiensis#:~:text=Thiomargarita%20namibiensis%20was%20discovered%20in%20oceanic%20sediments%20off%20the%20Namibian |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=microbewiki.kenyon.edu}}</ref> ''T. namibiensis'' can perform normal diffusion due to the reduced amount of cytoplasm as a result of its large vacuoles.<ref name="Kalanetra_2005" /> These large central vacuoles, which act as reserves, are the source of the large size of ''T. namibiensis''.<ref name=":2" /> Because of its reserves, ''Thiomargarita namibiensis'' can survive in its environment where nutrients are infrequently available.<ref name=":2" /> The reserves allow ''T. namibiensis'' to store the required nutrients to sustain the cell for extended periods of nutrient deficiency in its environment. Another adaptation advanced by the large size of ''T. namibiensis'' is its ability to survive without growing.<ref name="Schulz Brinkhoff Ferdelman et al 1999" /> Collected and stored sediment samples were found to have surviving ''T. namibiensis'' cells after over two years.<ref name="Schulz Brinkhoff Ferdelman et al 1999" /> The cells had no access to any added sulfide or nitrate during this time. In the surviving cells, there was a notable size decrease.<ref name="Schulz Brinkhoff Ferdelman et al 1999" /> To survive without growing the cells depended on the nutrient stores of the central vacuoles. The consistent reliance on the nutrient stores without replenishment caused the cells to lose size; however, the cells were able to continue surviving. The displayed durability of these cells reveals the impressive functionality of the large vacuoles in ''T. namibiensis'' cells.<ref name="Schulz Brinkhoff Ferdelman et al 1999" /> The storage capacity of these vacuoles can allow ''T. namibiensis'' cells to survive for prolonged lengths of time without access to nutrients.<ref name=":2" />