Mobility Some have one or more flagella Some lash, snake or spiral forward Some glide on a layer of slime-like material

Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall Nutrition Prokaryotes can be heterotrophic or autotrophic. Energy is released by cellular respiration (aerobic) or fermentation (anaerobic) or both 1. Obligate aerobes require oxygen 2. Obligate anaerobes live without oxygen because they may be killed by it 3. Facultative anaerobes can survive with or without oxygen Copyright Pearson Prentice Hall

Reproduction - Asexual Binary fission Most common When bacterium is near double in size, bacterial cell replicates its DNA and divides in half, producing two identical daughter cells. Ex) E. coli

Genetic exchange Conjugation Protein bridge forms between 2 bacterial cells One bacterium transfers some/all of its DNA to the other cell Results in recipient bacterial cell with new genetic variation Recipient bacterium will then undergo binary fission

Spore Formation In unfavorable growth conditions, an endospore can form the bacterium produces a thick internal wall that encloses its DNA and some of its cytoplasm.