Bacteria!

The Bacteria Cell•Bacteria are EVERYWHERE!And most bacteria are either harmless or helpful…

•Bacteria are prokaryotic – …which means…?

•Prokaryotic cells can accomplish all the tasks necessary for life.

Bacteria ShapesBacteria come in 3 different shapes:

Spherical Rod-like Spiral

Bacteria StructureBacteria are cells, too.

They have:

• A cell wall• A cell membrane• Cytoplasm• Genetic Material• Flagella/Cilia

They don’t have:• A nucleus…remember, they

are prokaryotic

Two Kingdoms of BacteriaArchaebacteria• These are ancient bacteria• They exist in extreme

environments• They are anaerobic Eubacteria• Live everywhere that

archaebacteria don’t(like on and in you!)

• Some are autotrophic and some are heterotrophic

San Francisco Bay Salt Ponds

A variety of eubacteria

Bacteria ReproductionAsexual Reproduction• Binary Fission• Bacteria make exact copies

of each other• This makes more of the

same

Sexual Reproduction• Conjunction• Bacteria combine their

genetic material• This creates variety in

bacteria – but not more

Survival Needs• Obtaining Food– Autotrophic/Photosynthesizing– Heterotrophic

• Respiration– Some need O2, some don’t

• Endospore Formation– For survival in harsh conditions

Bacteria and the Living World(most bacteria are harmless or helpful)

Fuel

• Methane is a gas produced by archaebacteria during respiration

Food

• Do you like?:– Cheese– Yogurt– Apple Cider– Olives– Sauerkraut– Pickles– Buttermilk– Sour Cream

Then you like bacteria!Methane gas power generator

Bacteria and the Living World

Natural Recycling

• Bacteria are Decomposers• They also convert nitrogen

gas in the air into nitrogen that plants need to grow.

Clean-up

• Bacteria are used to clean up:– Oil-spills– Gasoline leaks

Health and Medicine• They can keep you healthy!

- They help make insulin- Help digestion- Make vitamins