All Bacteria have the following characteristics:

  • Unicellular and stick together in colonies
  • Are prokaryotic (no nucleus, vacuoles, mitochondria or chloroplasts)
  • They have a single chromosome in a DNA loop
  • They reproduce asexually by binary fission
  • Live in moist environment and are inactive in dry environments

Two groups of Bacteria

1.  Archaebacteria – primitive bacteria that live in harsh environments

2.  Eubacteria – most common bacteria eg: E. Coli

Other ways of classifying bacteria are:

3.  Aerobic or anaerobic

4.  Autotroph or heterotroph

Bacteria Reproduction:

BINARY FISSION

–      similar to mitosis (simple cell division)

STEPS:

  1. DNA replicates (doubles)
  2. a cross wall forms dividing the cell into two identical bacteria

Some bacteria (eg: E.Coli and Salmonella) reproduce by conjugation (sexual reproduction)

author avatar
William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team)
William completed his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in 2013. He current serves as a lecturer, tutor and freelance writer. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, walking his dog and parasailing. Article last reviewed: 2022 | St. Rosemary Institution © 2010-2024 | Creative Commons 4.0

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