BACTERIA NOTES
I. Basics of Bacteria
A. BacteriaThe smallest and most common micro-organisms. are prokaryotes
Uni-cellular organisms that lacks a nucleus (Prokaryotes)
B. The two domains of prokaryotes are: Archaea (OLDEST) &
Eubacteria (more common)
1. Three characteristics of Eubacteria are:
a. Cell Wall-protects and determines shape
b. Cell membrane surrounds cytoplasm
c. Google a picture of e-coli
E.Coli-lives in your gut and does not hurt you
Contaminated food can make you sick
Eubacteria- can be found living in fresh and salt water, on land, in the human body
Bacteria that is found in your gut helps to break down food.
Archaebacteria-can be found living in EXTREME environments:
--Live in oxygen-free environments, such as thick mud and animal digestive tracts/
--Live in salty environments
--Live in hot springs and deep sea levels
How Prokaryotes are classified
1) 3 basic Shapes (bascilli, spirilla, cocci)
Bascilli-rod shaped
Spirilla-round
Cocci-spiral
2) The chemical nature of their cell walls
3) The way they move
4) The way they obtain energy
METABOLIC DIVERSITY
Heterotrophs-obtain energy by consuming organic molecules
Autotrophs-some bacteria make their own food.
Bacteria grows thru BINARY FISSION
BINARY FISSON-type of asexual reproduction which an organism replicates
it’s DNA and divides in half, producing two identical daughter cells.
Some bacteria can reproduce very quickly.
GENETIC DIVERSITY
Conjugation-transfers DNA between bacteria. This can be advantageous
so that bacteria can change and evolve and perhaps become resistant.
USES of Bacteria
Positives:
Producers that capture energy by photosynthesis
Decompose nutrients in dead matter
Sewage treatment
Oil spill clean up
Making yogurt and cheese
Negatives
Cause infections
Tooth decay
Food rotting/spoilage
Can overrun lakes and ponds, killing aquatic life
Importance of Bacteria
Bacteria are vital to the living world
Producers that capture energy by photosynthesis
Others decompose nutrients in dead matter
Helps to clean up oil spills
Bacterial Disease in Humans
Growth of pathogenic bacteria disrupts the body’s equilibrium
Bacteria produce diseases in many ways (tooth decay/cavities)
Various methods used to control bacterial growth
-Sterilization
-Personal Hygiene
-Disinfectants
-Food Processing
DISEASES CAUSED BY BACTERIA
LYME DISEASE
TETANUS
TUBERCULOSIS
BACTERIAL MENINGITIS
STREP THROAT