Bacteria is Everywhere
The Diversity of Prokaryotes…
As we remember, from before, a prokaryote is an
organism that lacks a nucleus and many of a cell’s
organelles. All prokaryotes are classified into two
kingdoms… Archaebacteria and Eubacteria.
Between the two types of prokaryotes, there are
many similarities which hint at a common ancestor
of both.
Archaebacteria: Living in Extremes
Archaebacteria is found around the world in
situations in which oxygen is not readily available.
In all, there are three different types of
archaebacteria…
1. Methane Archaebacteria - Methanogens
a) These bacteria are usually found in
marshes, lakes, swamps, and the digestive
tracts of some animals like cows.
b) These types of bacteria are also found in
sewage disposal plants which help break
down waste.
2. Salt Archaebacteria - Halophiles
a) These live in area which have high
concentrations of salt, such as the Great Salt
Lake in Utah or in the Dead Sea in the
middle east.
3. Heat/Acid Archaebacteria Thermoacidophiles
a) These live in the hot and acidic waters of
sulfur springs and deep cracks within the
ocean floor.
The other kingdom of prokaryotes are found in
places much more hospitable than archaebacteria.
Eubacteria are found almost everywhere.
EUBACTERIA
Heterotrophic Eubacteria
Some eubacteria consume simple organic matter
while others are parasites, obtaining their nutrition
from other living organisms. Lastly, some
eubacteria feed on dead organisms or organic
wastes.
Autotrophic Eubacteria
A second type of eubacteria is the photosynthetic
autotroph. These bacteria live in places with lots
of sunlight because they need light to make the
organic molecules that are their food.
The main type of this kind of eubacteria is
CYANOBACTERIA. These contain chlorophyll
which allows the bacteria to go through
photosynthesis.
THE PARTS OF A BACTERIA
CAPSULE
- Found in some bacteria. A capsule is a sticky
gelatinous shell that surrounds the cell wall.
- Bacteria with a capsule are more likely to
cause a disease than a non-capsule bacteria.
CELL WALL
- Surrounds the cell’s plasma membrane.
- Gives the cell its shape and prevents the cell
from exploding during osmosis.
PLASMID
- A single, circular DNA strand which contains
the majority of the bacteria’s genes.
- This is not found in a nucleus, because all
bacteria are prokaryotes.
FLAGELLUM
- A long, whip-like protrusion that allows the
bacteria to move.
PILUS
- Hair-like extensions that help a bacteria stick
to a surface.
- Also used as a defense mechanism against
white blood cells.
- Also allows bacteria to transfer DNA from
one to another.
PLASMA MEMBRANE
- Surrounds the bacteria and regulates what
materials enter and leave the cell.
Bacterial Identification
Shapes - Within the bacteria world, there are three
main shapes that separate and make each bacteria
unique.
b) COCCUS
 Sphere-shaped bacteria
c)
BACILLUS
 Rod-shaped bacteria
d) SPIRILLIUM
 Spiral-shaped bacteria
Growth Patterns
e) DIPLO This prefix refers to any bacteria that
grow in a paired arrangement.
f) STAPHYLO This prefix refers to any bacteria that
grow in shapes that resemble bunches of
grapes.
g) STREPTO This prefix refers to any bacteria that
grow in an arrangement of chains.
What shape would the following have?
Diplococcus –
Staphylococcus –
Diplospirillium –
Streptobacillus –