Bacteria: Key Concepts

Inquiry: Are Robots Attacking? Pg. 228 in your textbook How does the size of a bacterium compare to that of a virus? Viruses are much smaller than bacteria. Very powerful microscopes are needed to view them.

Is all bacteria harmful? Some bacteria is harmful and causes illness and death. However, some bacteria is helpful in nature and in your body.

Are bacteria living or nonliving? Bacteria are living organisms.

Can bacteria be seen without a microscope? Bacteria are small and cannot be seen without the aid of a microscope and usually a stain.

What are the three shapes of bacteria? Round or sphere-shaped Rod shaped Spiral shaped

How much larger is an average eukaryotic cell than an average bacterial cell? Bacteria are prokaryotic. Eukaryotes are X larger than the average bacteria cell.

How do bacteria obtain food? Some feed on dead organisms or organic waste. Others feed on living organisms. Still others make their own food using light energy or chemical energy.

The ways bacteria move are: Bacteria move using flagellum, pilli, or by twisting.

Why is it important for the cell to protect its DNA rather than its other cell parts? DNA contains the master plan for making new cell components (parts).

What are some ways bacteria can be helpful? Bacteria can help with digestion and other body processes, such as making vitamin K.

What is decomposition? The breaking down of dead organisms and wastes.

What happens to the molecules that are released into the soil due to decomposition? They are used for other organisms for life processes.