Bacteria Smallest and simplest organisms on the planet Smallest and simplest organisms on the planet Also the most abundant Also the most abundant 1 gram of soil has over 2.5 billion bacteria 1 gram of soil has over 2.5 billion bacteria

Shapes of Bacteria Coccus– spherical Coccus– spherical Bacilli – rod Bacilli – rod Spirilla-spiral Spirilla-spiral

Bacteria Prokaryotes – single celled, no nucleus around their genetic material Prokaryotes – single celled, no nucleus around their genetic material Belong to either the Archaebacteria or Eubacteria kingdoms Belong to either the Archaebacteria or Eubacteria kingdoms

Kingdom Archaebacteria Thrive in unusual places Thrive in unusual places Salt lovers- are found where there is a high concentration of salt (the Dead Sea) Salt lovers- are found where there is a high concentration of salt (the Dead Sea) Heat lovers – are found in hot springs (Yellow stone) Heat lovers – are found in hot springs (Yellow stone) Methane makers- are found in swamps Methane makers- are found in swamps

Kingdom Eubacteria Most bacteria are eubacteria Most bacteria are eubacteria Eubacteria has more individual organisms than any other kingdom Eubacteria has more individual organisms than any other kingdom Eubacteria get food in 2 ways Eubacteria get food in 2 ways

Most are consumers – obtaining nutrients from other organisms Most are consumers – obtaining nutrients from other organisms Decomposers – feed on dead organic matter Decomposers – feed on dead organic matter Parasites – feed on living organisms Parasites – feed on living organisms Pseudomonas is one kind of bacteria found in the soil. Bacteria recycle dead plants and animals by turning them into minerals and nutrients that plants can use.

Eubacteria that aren’t comsumers Some are producers – make their own food Some are producers – make their own food Some are photosynthetic - these bacteria have chlorophyll and convert sun energy into food like plants Some are photosynthetic - these bacteria have chlorophyll and convert sun energy into food like plants Ex:Cyanobacteria Ex:Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria Bacterial producer Bacterial producer Live in aquatic environments Live in aquatic environments

Bacteria Reproduction Binary Fission- simple cell division Binary Fission- simple cell division 1. Cell grows 2. DNA replicates and attaches to cell membrane 3. DNA and copy separates as the cell grows even larger 4. Cell splits in 2. Each new cell has a copy of the DNA

Most bacteria thrive and reproduce at optimal environments (the best) Most bacteria thrive and reproduce at optimal environments (the best) Warm, moist environments Warm, moist environments If the conditions are unfavorable, some species form a thick, protective membrane If the conditions are unfavorable, some species form a thick, protective membrane Once the membrane is formed the bacteria is known as an endospore Once the membrane is formed the bacteria is known as an endospore

Bacteria’s Role in the World Cleaning up- used to combat pollution Cleaning up- used to combat pollution Bioremediation- use of bacteria and other microorganisms to change pollutants in harmless chemicals Bioremediation- use of bacteria and other microorganisms to change pollutants in harmless chemicals Clean up industrial, agriculture wastes and oil spills Clean up industrial, agriculture wastes and oil spills

Iron from acid run-off from mining can be treated on site to reduce and extract pollutants Iron from acid run-off from mining can be treated on site to reduce and extract pollutants

Antibiotics Medicines used to kill bacteria and other microorganisms Medicines used to kill bacteria and other microorganisms Some bacteria have been genetically engineered to make large quantities of antibiotics Some bacteria have been genetically engineered to make large quantities of antibiotics

Food Lactic-acid bacteria – convert sugar in milk to lactic acid which is a preservative and adds flavor Lactic-acid bacteria – convert sugar in milk to lactic acid which is a preservative and adds flavor Used in sour dough bread, cheese, yogurt, sour cream, sourkraut and pickles Used in sour dough bread, cheese, yogurt, sour cream, sourkraut and pickles

Harmful Bacteria Pathogenic bacteria – cause diseases Pathogenic bacteria – cause diseases Examples Examples Dental cavities, ulcers, strep throat, food poisoning, bacterial pneumonia, Lyme disease, Tuberculosis, Typhoid fever Dental cavities, ulcers, strep throat, food poisoning, bacterial pneumonia, Lyme disease, Tuberculosis, Typhoid fever