Advertisement. EnchantedLearning.com is a user-supported site. As a bonus, site members have access to a banner-ad-free version of the site, with print-friendly pages. Click here to learn more. The cell is the basic unit of life. All organisms are made up of cells (or in some cases, a single cell). Most cells are very small; most are invisible without using a microscope…
Taxonomy, is literally the science of classification. Look at the picture above, and imagine that all those little divisions, like “firmicutes” are different phyla under the kingdom of bacteria. Then those phyla are further subdivided into different classes, then orders, then families, then genera, and then finally species! Take a look at how this works for one particular…
Daffonchio D, Thaveesri J, Verstraete W. Contact angle measurement and cell hydrophobicity of granular sludge from upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactors. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1995 Oct;61(10):3676–3680. Kjelleberg S, Hermansson M. Starvation-induced effects on bacterial surface characteristics. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1984 Sep;48(3):497–503. Lindahl M, Faris A, Wadström…
This chapter will look at different types of microorganisms. It will discuss their cell structure and functions. It will also discuss the position of microbes in food chains and their role in the biosphere. Archaea (bacteria) Archaea were once thought to be a type of bacteria. After extensive research of their DNA and membrane structure, some scientists decided to…
This is clearly beneficial to the F-plasmid, since its genes get replicated, but why is it useful to the bacteria? The F-plasmid often contains useful genes that deal with stressful situations that have recently arisen, for will spread this resistance to other bacteria. Since the F-plasmid can integrate into the host s chromosomal DNA it can, upon leaving, take away…
Archaea versus Bacteria comparison chart Archaea Bacteria Ribosomes Present Introduction (from Wikipedia) The Archaea constitute a domain or kingdom of single-celled microorganisms. These microbes are prokaryotes, meaning that they have no cell nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelles in their cells. Bacteria constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms…
Pandas eat almost nothing but bamboo, but find it hard to digest. Aram Williams / Alamy Giant pandas don t digest bamboo by themselves. Microorganisms in their guts may help the endangered animals to subsist on plants despite a gut that is better suited to eating meat, finds an analysis published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Pandas…
Although a given bacterial species has a basic, characteristic PG structure, the PG layer remains in a dynamic state throughout a bacterium s life, and PG structure is the result of complex biosynthetic, maturation, and degradation reactions, which will be described below. Structural analysis of PG muropeptides using HPLC and mass spectrometry has allowed the identification…
The main difference between these two categories of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), now more commonly referred to as sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, is what causes them — bacterial STIs are caused by bacteria and viral STIs are caused by viruses. As a result of being caused by different microorganisms, bacterial and viral STIs vary in their treatment…
Living organisms have the following characteristics in common: Movement - they can move and change their position. Reproduction – they can make more of the same kind of organism as themselves. Sensitivity – they can detect or sense and respond to them. Growth - they can permanently increase their size or by increasing the number or size of their cells. Respiration…
The bacterial cell surface (or envelope) can vary considerably in its structure, and it plays a central role in the properties and capabilities of the cell. The one feature present in all cells is the cytoplasmic , which separates the inside of the cell from its external environment, regulates the flow of nutrients, maintains the proper intracellular milieu, and prevents…
Have you ever wondered which of the millions of bacteria are the greatest concern to humans? This list of scientific names of common bacteria provides basic information about the most common bacteria that can be harmful to humans. The Most Common Bacteria There are many types of bacteria, and scientists have spent many years culturing and studying their properties…
Microorganisms are always present in water, in variable quantities. They often act as natural purifiers, degrading organic waste as well as pollutants found in these natural environments. Not all water is fit to drink… Only a small percentage of the many organisms present in water can be harmful to our health. If destined for human consumption, water coming from lakes…
Bacteria versus Virus comparison chart Bacteria Virus Ribosomes Present Absent Cell wall Peptidoglycan / Lipopolysaccharide No cell wall. Protein coat present instead. Introduction (from Wikipedia) Bacteria constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a number of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods…
