The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Bacteria

Characteristics of Bacteria

Bacterial Shapes

Bacterial Structure

Bacteria Reproduction—Binary Fission

Bacteria Reproduction—Binary Fission Comparing Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell Division

Bacterial Conjugation In prokaryotes, algae, and fungi, conjugation is a type of sexual reproduction in which two cells join temporarily to recombine nuclear material Conjugation

Obtaining Energy Photosynthesizers—obtain energy from sunlight, CO2 and H2O Chemoautotrophs—obtain energy by removing electrons from inorganic and organic molecules such as NH3, H2S, CH4 Heterotrophs—obtain energy by absorption or infection of other organisms chemoautotrophs

Pathogenic Bacteria Pathogens—virus, bacteria, or other microorganism that causes disease Heterotrophic pathogens metabolize the nutrients in their host organisms; this causes you to become ill Bacterial pathogens secrete toxins that are harmful to eukaryotic cells (ex. Food poisoning from Salmonella and Botulism)

Pathogenic Bacteria--Examples

Antibiotic Resistance Antibiotics are used to destroy bacteria, not viruses Mutations occur in bacteria spontaneously Some mutations confer resistance to antibiotics Misuse of antibiotics can lead to resistance 1. overusing 2. not taking full course of treatment Serious situations 1. TB 2. MRSA (top photo) Antibiotic resistance

MRSA photos

Are all bacteria bad? NO! Processing foods—yogurt, pickles, cheese, sourdough bread, buttermilk, etc. Producing chemicals—BOTOX, etc. Medicines—producing insulin with E. coli Mining—production of pure grade ores Bioremediation—cleaning up oil spills Decomposers of dead organisms in the environment Aids in digestion in animals Nitrogen Fixation Bacteria and Food