Rhodospirillum is a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria that are photoautotrophs. They perform anaerobic photosynthesis, using light energy to fix carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from the atmosphere and convert it into organic compounds, specifically carbohydrates (sugars), which serve as their food source. While many of these bacteria are also capable of fixing nitrogen, they are distinct from common soil bacteria because of this ability to synthesize carbohydrates via carbon fixation.

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