Summary:
- Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered that certain types of marine bacteria can mutate and adapt to viral threats, which helps them continue to play a crucial role in the ocean's carbon cycle.
- These bacteria are able to sink carbon from the surface of the ocean to the seafloor, a process known as "carbon sinking." This is an important function in regulating the Earth's climate.
- The study shows that even as viruses threaten to disrupt the bacteria's activities, the bacteria can evolve and change in ways that allow them to maintain their carbon-sinking abilities, demonstrating their resilience and adaptability in the face of environmental challenges.