Classification
Bacteria are prokaryotic. What does this mean?
Prokaryotic means that a cell does not have a nucleus or any other membrane bound organelles.
What factors provide the best environment for bacterial growth?
Source of food
Source of water
A suitable temperature (80 – 100 ∘F for most)
Darkness
If an organism can cause a disease, the organism is said to be?
pathogenic
What name is given to an organism that lives on dead, decaying matter?
saprophyte
True or False?
All bacteria cause diseases.
False
Most bacteria are beneficial or benign.
The bacteria have been divided into two domains. Name the two domains of bacteria.
Domain Archaea
Domain Bacteria
What are the three shapes of bacteria?
Cocci
Bacilli
Spirilla
The bacteria reproduce most often by binary fission. Describe this process.
During binary fission a single cell divides to form two identical cells.
What name is given to an organism that lives in or on another living organism?
Parasite
True or False?
Bacteria can reproduce at an amazing rate, doubling their numbers by cell division every 20 minutes.
True
To what kingdom do the “true” bacteria belong?
Kingdom Eubacteria
A close and permanent relationship between two different organisms is called?
Symbiosis
What happens during the process of conjugation in bacteria?
What is the purpose of conjugation in bacteria?
During conjugation two bacterial cells will join by a hollow bridge. The two cells will exchange genetic material. They will then resume binary fission, but the future cells will be genetically different. It provides variation in the offspring
What name is given to an organism that uses the energy from inorganic chemical reactions as a source of energy to build molecules of glucose?
chemoautotroph
True or False?
Vaccines help to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against a specific pathogen.
True
The ancient forms of bacteria that can survive in very hostile environments belong to what kingdom?
Kingdom Archaebacteria
A relationship between two organisms in which both organisms benefit from the relationship is called?
mutualism
What are endospores and when are they produced?
Endospores are produced when conditions for growth are unfavorable. The contents of the cell draw together and are surrounded by a thick, protective coat. The endospore can survive in this form until favorable conditions return.
What name is given to organisms that use the light energy from the sun to convert carbon dioxide and water into molecules of glucose?
photoautotroph
True or False?
Antibiotics are wonder drugs and are effective in treating both viral and bacterial illnesses.
False
Antibiotics are using in curing bacterial infections, but not in curing viral infections.
One of the ways that the bacteria are separated into two different domains is based on the composition of their cell walls. What substance is present in the cell wall of the true bacteria, but is missing in the archaebacteria?
peptidoglycans
List several reasons why bacteria are important to man.
They are important as decomposers.
They play a crucial role in nitrogen fixation.
They are used to make a variety of foods (yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk, etc.)
What are the two ways that bacteria can cause disease?
They may cause cell/tissue damage.
They may produce toxins and poisons.
Are most bacteria autotrophs or heterotrophs?
heterotrophs
True or False?
Many bacteria live in the intestine of animals. This is an example of commensalism.
False
Many bacteria live in the intestine of animals in a mutualistic relationship.