KINGDOM MONERA (BACTERIA) What makes this kingdom unique? Most abundant organisms on Earth Outnumber all other organisms combined More in a handful of dirt than the total number of people who have ever lived Characteristics Prokaryotes: no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles Characteristics eukaryotes prokaryotes smaller than Smaller than smallest eukaryotes All are unicellular Now considered two kingdoms: Archaebacteria and Eubacteria KINGDOM ARCHAEBACTERIA Archae = ancient Evolution considers them the first organisms Can live where no others can Types of Archaebacteria: methanogens Convert CO2 into methane gas O2 is poison to them Require anaerobic conditions (i.e. sewage or swamp) Thrive in cow and human intestines Types of Archaebacteria: thermoacidophiles Love hot and acidic environment Many are chemosynthetic volcanic vents hydrothermal vents Types of Archaebacteria: extreme halophiles Salt-loving Great Salt Lake and Dead Sea Use salt to generate ATP KINGDOM EUBACTERIA Classified in two ways: shape and stain 3 different shapes Unicellular or colonies 1. SPHERE-SHAPED: COCCUS Diplococcus - two Staphylococcus – clusters Streptococcus – strings 2. ROD-SHAPED: BACILLUS Diplobacillus - two Streptobacillus - strings 3. CORK SCREW: SPIRILLUM REACTION TO STAIN Gram stain used for classification Differing reaction based on cell wall Cell membrane (Phospholipid) Peptidoglycan (Protein + sugar) Lipopolysaccharide (Fat + sugar) Gram-negative Gram-positive GRAM-POSITIVE EUBACTERIA Absorb Gram stain and appear purple Simple cell wall antibiotics are effective GRAM-NEGATIVE EUBACTERIA Do not absorb Gram stain Absorb a secondary pink stain Complex cell wall antibiotics are ineffective ALEXANDER FLEMING - 1928 Scottish bacteriologist Grew Staphylococcus bacteria in dish Contaminated by Penicillium mold Mold inhibited the bacteria 1st antibiotic ANTIBIOTICS Fight pathogens Interfere with formation of cell walls Many obtained from bacteria or fungi Others produced synthetically NATURAL BODY DEFENSES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. SKIN MUCUS TEARS STOMACH ACID LEUCOCYTES ANTIBODIES CELLULAR RESPIRATION 1. Obligate aerobes require oxygen (i.e. Mycobacterium tuberculosis) 2. Facultative anaerobes can use oxygen when available but do not require it (i.e. Escherichia coli) 3. Obligate anaerobes cannot grow in the presence of oxygen (i.e. Clostridium tetani) BACTERIA IN NATURE ~ Photosynthesis Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic O2 Availability of O2 advent of aerobic organisms Oscillatoria Nostoc Anabaena BACTERIA IN NATURE ~ Nitrogen fixers Rhizobacteria grow in roots of soybeans, alfalfa Convert atmospheric N2 into usable form for plants BACTERIA IN NATURE ~ Decomposers Break down matter into simpler substances Nutrients released into the soil BACTERIA IN NATURE ~ Living Together (Symbioisis) Mutualism: both organisms benefit Bacteria and Komodo dragons Bacteria-laden saliva Mouth provides habitat BACTERIA IN NATURE ~ Eutrophication Excess phosphates and nitrates Cyanobacteria thrive Death and decomposition Decomposition requires oxygen Fish kill BACTERIA and INDUSTRY ~ Food Production Ferment lactose in milk sour cream, yogurt, and buttermilk Digest protein in milk ricotta cheese and cottage cheese Fermentation pickles and sauerkraut BACTERIA and INDUSTRY ~ Genetic engineering Insert genes into bacteria Develop medical products (i.e. synthetic insulin) Develop disease-resistant crops (i.e. Bt corn) Bt Corn Bt is a naturally-occurring soilborne bacterium that is found worldwide. This bacterium produces crystal-like proteins that selectively kill specific groups of insects. Once the protein is eaten, insects stop feeding within two hours of a first bite and, if enough toxin is eaten, die within two or three days. Plant geneticists create Bt corn by inserting selected exotic DNA into the corn plant's own DNA. Bt corn improves European corn borer control.