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Bacteria were one of the first life forms on earth, and even though they are microscopically small, of only a few micrometres in length, they are very good at adapting to their environment around them, leading them to inhabit most habitats on Earth. There are many different names for bacteria depending on where they inhabit, such as [[Physcrophile|Physcrophile]], [[Mesophile|Mesophile]], [[Thermophile|Thermophile]], [[Hyperthermophile|Hyperthermophile]]. | Bacteria were one of the first life forms on earth, and even though they are microscopically small, of only a few micrometres in length, they are very good at adapting to their environment around them, leading them to inhabit most habitats on Earth. There are many different names for bacteria depending on where they inhabit, such as [[Physcrophile|Physcrophile]], [[Mesophile|Mesophile]], [[Thermophile|Thermophile]], [[Hyperthermophile|Hyperthermophile]]. | ||
Bacteria can also be classified on whether they are gram positive or gram negative, which is dictated by their cell wall composition. This can be tested by performing a gram strain procedure. | Bacteria can also be classified on whether they are gram positive or gram negative, which is dictated by their cell wall composition. This can be tested by performing a gram strain procedure. | ||
=== Gram Positive bacteria === | |||
These bacterial cells have a multilayer peptidoglycan cell wall and are stained purple/violet when a gram stain procedure is carried out. | |||
=== Gram Negative Bacteria === | |||
These bacterial cells have a thin layer of peptidoglycan in their cell wall and stain red after the gram staining procedure.<ref>University of Maryland (2004), General Microbiology, Availabe at: http://www.life.umd.edu/classroom/bsci424/BSCI223WebSiteFiles/GramPosvsGramNeg.htm (26.11.2014)</ref> | |||
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= References = | |||
<references /> | |||
Revision as of 20:58, 26 November 2014
A domain consisting of prokaryotic organisms. Bacterial characteristics include the ability to adhere to and invade host cells, being toxic and being able to avoid the hosts immune system. Bacteria that cause disease are pathogens.
Bacteria were one of the first life forms on earth, and even though they are microscopically small, of only a few micrometres in length, they are very good at adapting to their environment around them, leading them to inhabit most habitats on Earth. There are many different names for bacteria depending on where they inhabit, such as Physcrophile, Mesophile, Thermophile, Hyperthermophile.
Bacteria can also be classified on whether they are gram positive or gram negative, which is dictated by their cell wall composition. This can be tested by performing a gram strain procedure.
Gram Positive bacteria
These bacterial cells have a multilayer peptidoglycan cell wall and are stained purple/violet when a gram stain procedure is carried out.
Gram Negative Bacteria
These bacterial cells have a thin layer of peptidoglycan in their cell wall and stain red after the gram staining procedure.[1]
References
- ↑ University of Maryland (2004), General Microbiology, Availabe at: http://www.life.umd.edu/classroom/bsci424/BSCI223WebSiteFiles/GramPosvsGramNeg.htm (26.11.2014)