methanogenesis

noun

me·​than·​o·​gen·​e·​sis mə-ˌtha-nə-ˈje-nə-səs 

plural methanogeneses mə-ˌtha-nə-ˈje-nə-ˌsēz 

: the production of methane especially by the action of methanogens

Methanogenesis occurs in vast natural and human-made environments, but only when the conditions are anaerobic.

—James G. Ferry

… the rate of microbial methanogenesis generally increases with temperature.

—W. F. Weeks et al.

Examples of methanogenesis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Methane-Reducing Jabs Another way to shift the rumen’s microbial community away from methanogenesis could be to vaccinate livestock against methanogenic microbes. —Bob Holmes, Discover Magazine, 29 June 2024

Methane-reducing jabs Another way to shift the rumen’s microbial community away from methanogenesis could be to vaccinate livestock against methanogenic microbes. —Bob Holmes, Ars Technica, 20 June 2024

And biological methanogenesis appears to be compatible with the data. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 July 2021

This implies that the pathways of methanogenesis forming part of the microbial digestion of fiber in the foregut are similar between the groups, and that the lower methane emission of camelids can be explained by their generally lower relative food intake. —Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 15 Apr. 2016

On Earth, microorganisms that live within deep-sea vents use up hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce methane in a method called methanogenesis, reports Popular Science. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 July 2021

Eight proteins are directly implicated in methanogenesis, the biological production of methane from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. —Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 7 June 2016

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

methanogenesis

noun

me·​than·​o·​gen·​e·​sis mə-ˌthan-ə-ˈjen-ə-səs 

plural methanogeneses -ˌsēz 

: the production of methane especially through the action of methanogens