What I have Learned about Bacteria
"Singular form - Bacterium Plural form - Bacteria"
Types: Spirilla (Spiral), Cocci (Sphere), Bacilli (Oval)
Bacteria are a successful and ancient form of life, quite different from
the eukaryotes (which includes the fungi, plants and animals). They are
small cells, found in the environment as either individual cells or
aggregated together as clumps, and their intracellular structure is far
simpler than eukaryotes.
However, there are several importance of them:
- Antibiotics
- Fermentation
- Agent in decomposition of matter
- Base of the food web in many environments
Diseases caused by bacteria:
-
Escherichia coli and Salmonella cause food poisoning.
-
Helicobacter pylori cause gastritis and ulcers.
-
Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea.
-
Neisseria meningitidis causes meningitis.
-
Staphylococcus aureus causes a variety of infections in
the body, including boils, cellulitis, abscesses, wound infections,
toxic shock syndrome, pneumonia, and food poisoning.
- Streptococcal bacteria cause a variety of infections in the body, including pneumonia, meningitis, ear infections, and strep throat.
Gram Staining
Gram staining, also called Gram's method, is a method of differentiating bacterial species into two large groups. Gram staining differentiates bacteria by the chemical and physical properties of their cell walls by detecting peptidoglycan, which is present in a thick layer in gram-positive bacteria.
Difference between Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria
Facts:
- Bacteria have flourished on earth for over three billion years
- People have millions of bacteria living on the skin surface and on the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and bowels
- Anywhere that dead and decaying matter is present is a good home for bacteria
