Methanogens are microorganisms that produce methane through methanogenesis. They obtain food by converting simple organic compounds into methane and carbon dioxide.
They can use carbon dioxide as a primary carbon source, along with acetate, formate, methanol, and ethanol. The process occurs in two steps: first, organic compounds are broken into smaller molecules; second, these molecules are converted into methane and carbon dioxide.
Methanogenesis is important in environmental carbon cycling, though methane production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.