Bacteria

bacteria
By Shagufta zaman 04
FEBRUARY 15, 2022

submitted to dr Ambreen ahmed
BS botany 8th semester
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Table of Contents
Classification........................................................................................................................................1
Reproduction in bacteria....................................................................................................................2
Survival mechanism............................................................................................................................2
Structure of bacteria...........................................................................................................................3
Mode of living and feeding..................................................................................................................3
Interesting facts...................................................................................................................................4
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Bacteria
Bacteria are microbes with a cell structure simpler than that of many other organisms. their
control centre, containing the genetic information, is contained in a single loop of DNA.
Some bacteria have an extra circle of genetic material called a plasmid rather than a nucleus.
The plasmid often contains genes that give the bacterium some advantage over other bacteria.
For example, it may contain a gene that makes the bacterium resistant to a certain antibiotic.
Classification
Bacteria are classified into five groups according to their basic shapes: spherical (cocci), rod
(bacilli), spiral (spirilla), comma (vibrios) or corkscrew (spirochaetes). They can exist as
single cells, in pairs, chains or clusters.
Fig no 01: shapes of bacteria

Bacteria are found in every habitat on Earth: soil, rock, oceans, and even arctic snow. Some
live in or on other organisms including plants and animals including humans. There are
approximately 10 times as many bacterial cells as human cells in the human body. A lot of
these bacterial cells are found lining the digestive system. Some bacteria live in the soil or on
dead plant matter where they play an important role in the cycling of nutrients. Some types of
cause food spoilage and crop damage but others are incredibly useful in the production of
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fermented foods such as yoghurt and soy sauce. Relatively few bacteria are parasites or
pathogens that cause disease in animals and plants.
Reproduction in bacteria
Most bacteria reproduce by binary fission. In this process the bacterium, which is a single
cell, divides into two identical daughter cells. Binary fission begins when the DNA of the
bacterium divides into two (replicates). The bacterial cell then elongates and splits into two
daughter cells each with identical DNA to the parent cell. Each daughter cell is a clone of the
parent cell.
Fig no 02: binary fission
When conditions are favourable such as the right temperature and nutrients are available,
some bacteria like Escherichia coli can divide every 20 minutes. This means that in just
seven hours one bacterium can generate 2,097,152 bacteria. After one more hour the number
of bacteria will have risen to a colossal 16,777,216. That’s why we can quickly become ill
when pathogenic microbes invade our bodies.
Survival mechanism
Some bacteria can form endospores. These are dormant structures, which are extremely
resistant to hostile physical and chemical conditions such as heat, UV radiation and
disinfectants. This makes destroying them very difficult. Many endospore-producing bacteria
are nasty pathogens, for example Bacillus anthracis, the cause of anthrax.
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Structure of bacteria
Bacterial cells are different from plant and animal cells. Bacteria are prokaryotes, which
means they have no nucleus.
A bacterial cell includes:
 Capsule: A layer found on the outside of the cell wall in some bacteria.
 Cell wall: A layer that is made of a polymer called peptidoglycan. The cell wall gives
the bacteria its shape. It is located outside the plasma membrane . The cell wall is
thicker in some bacteria, called Gram positive bacteria.
 Plasma membrane: Found within the cell wall, this generates energy and transports
chemicals. The membrane is permeable, which means that substances can pass
through it.
 Cytoplasm: A gelatinous substance inside the plasma membrane that contains genetic
material and ribosomes.
 DNA: This contains all the genetic instructions used in the development and function
of the bacterium. It is located inside the cytoplasm.
 Ribosomes: This is where proteins are made or synthesized. Ribosomes are complex
particles made up of RNA-rich granules.
 Flagellum: This is used for movement, to propel some types of bacteria. There are
some bacteria that can have more than one.
 Pili: These hair-like appendages on the outside of the cell allow it to stick to surfaces
and transfer genetic material to other cells. This can contribute to the spread of illness
in humans.
Mode of living and feeding
Bacteria feed in different ways.
Heterotrophic bacteria, or heterotrophs, get their energy through consuming

organic carbon. Most absorb dead organic material, such as decomposing flesh.
Some of these parasitic bacteria kill their host, while others help them.
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Autotrophic bacteria (or just autotrophs) make their own food, either through
either:
 photosynthesis, using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, or
 chemosynthesis, using carbon dioxide, water, and chemicals such as ammonia,

nitrogen, sulphur, and others
Bacteria that use photosynthesis are called photoautotrophs. Some types, for
example cyanobacteria, produce oxygen. These probably played a vital role in
creating the oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere. Others, such as heliobacteria, do not
produce oxygen.
Those that use chemosynthesis are known as chemoautotrophs. These bacteria are
commonly found in ocean vents and in the roots of legumes, such as alfalfa, clover,
peas, beans, lentils, and peanuts.
Interesting facts
 Bacteria are single-cell organisms that are neither plants nor animals.
 They usually measure a few micrometres in length and exist together in communities
of millions.
 A gram of soil typically contains about 40 million bacterial cells. A millilitre of fresh
water usually holds about one million bacterial cells.
 The earth is estimated to hold at least 5 nonillion bacteria, and much of the earth’s
biomass is thought to be made up of bacteria.

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bacteria

FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Fig no 01: shapes of bacteria

Fig no 02: binary fission

A bacterial cell includes:

Mode of living and feeding

Bacteria feed in different ways.

Heterotrophic bacteria, or heterotrophs, get their energy through consuming

 photosynthesis, using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, or

 chemosynthesis, using carbon dioxide, water, and chemicals such as ammonia,

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