Magnetoreception

thumb|upright=1.35|Experiments on European robins, which are migratory, suggest their magnetic sense makes use of the quantum [[radical pair mechanism. ]]

[[File:Magnetite magnetosomes in Gammaproteobacteria.png |thumb |Magnetite magnetosomes in Gammaproteobacteria strain SS-5. (A) Chain of highly elongated magnetosomes. (B) Part of a magnetosome chain. (C) The magnetosome in the lower right in (B), viewed along the \scriptstyle [1\overline{1}0] direction, with its Fourier transform in the lower right.]] Magnetosomes are membranous structures present in magnetotactic bacteria (MTB). They contain iron-rich magnetic particles that are enclosed within a lipid bilayer membrane. Each magnetosome can often contain 15 to 20 magnetite crystals that form

polyphyletic group of bacteria that orient themselves along the magnetic field lines of Earth’s magnetic field

Magnetospirillum is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic genus of magnetotactic bacteria, first isolated from pond water by the microbiologist R. P. Blakemore in 1975. They have a spiral (helical) shape and are propelled by a polar flagellum at each end of their cells. The three main species identified are M. magnetotacticum strain MS-1, M. griphiswaldense strain MSR-1, and M. magneticum strain AMB-1.

Magnetotaxis is a process implemented by a diverse group of Gram-negative bacteria that involves orienting and coordinating movement in response to Earth's magnetic field. This process is mainly carried out by microaerophilic and anaerobic bacteria found in aquatic environments such as salt marshes, seawater, and freshwater lakes. By sensing the magnetic field, the bacteria are able to orient themselves towards environments with more favorable oxygen concentrations. This orientation towards more favorable oxygen concentrations allows the bacteria to reach these environments faster as opposed t