Biology Bacteria Characteristics

Prokaryotic Vs. Eukaryotic Cells -Bacteria are single-celled organisms. They lack
organelles such as chloroplasts and
Prokaryotes- are organisms defined by their lack mitochondria, and they do not have the true
of membrane- bound organelles. The origin of the nucleus found in eukaryotic cells. Instead, their
word prokaryote comes from the Greek "pro", DNA, a double strand that is continuous and
meaning before, and "karyon" which means circular, is located in a nucleoid. The nucleoid is
nucleus or "kernel". an irregularly shaped region that does not have a
nuclear membrane. Bacteria also have a cell
-Prokaryotes lack a nucleus to store DNA. Their
membrane and a cell wall that is often made of
DNA is instead found in a circular form within the
peptidoglycan. Together, the cell membrane and
cytoplasm. The DNA in prokaryotes is naked
cell wall are referred to as the cell envelope.
DNA. Prokaryotes have cell walls which are a
Many bacteria need a cell wall in order to survive.
network of fibres that provides the cell with
strength and rigidity. This network in the cell wall Bacteria Shapes
allows the cell to be freely permeable. These
differ from eukaryotes which have a nucleus Cocci- are bacteria that are spherical or ovoid in
containing genetic information (DNA). shape. Some cocci remain attached after binary
fission, even though separate cells have been
-Most prokaryotes are unicellular (single cells) but formed. For example, diplococci are cocci in
there are some that have life cycles with pairs, streptococci are chains, and staphylococci
multicellular stages. Bacteria (such as are clusters of multiple cocci. Tetrads are square
Escherichia coli), archaea and cyanobacteria are arrangements of four cocci, while sarcinae are
prokaryotes. cubes of eight cocci.
-Prokaryotes breed through asexual reproduction, Spiral bacteria- are as the name suggests,
usually either by budding or binary fission (simple spiral-shaped. Spirillums are thick, tough spirals.
division). Most prokaryote cells are small and Spirochetes are spirals that are thin and flexible.
simple in their outward appearance which are Vibrios are comma-shaped rods with a small
typically spherical or rod-shaped. twist.
Prokaryotes In Biomedical Research Bacilli- are rod-shaped bacteria. Like cocci,
bacilli can be solitary or arranged together.
-One of the most known bacteria used in research
Diplobacilli are two bacilli arranged next to each
is Escherichia Coli, (E. coli) which can be found in
other, and streptobacilli are chains of bacilli.
soil and in animal intestines. This organism is
considered a model organism as it grows fast in Examples of Bacteria:
simple and affordable medium containing salts
and glucose. It produces several molecules such 1. Escherichia Coli- is one example of a
as proteins, vitamins, lipids, etc. which are common species of bacteria. It is bacillus-shaped
important for research. and found naturally in the intestines of many
animals including humans, where it produces
-There are two kingdoms of prokaryotes. These vitamin K and b-complex vitamins. E. coli is also
are the bacteria (or eubacteria) and the archaea often used in laboratory research since it
(or the archaebacteria). The members of these reproduces quickly and is hardy. Most strains of
two kingdoms appear similar in shape and E. coli are harmless to humans, but some can
appearance, even under the extreme cause infection. E. coli infection can result in
magnification of the electron microscope. gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, and in
more severe cases, bacterial meningitis or
-Eubacteria and archaea have very different cell
pneumonia can occur.
walls. They are also distinguished by their DNA-
the DNA of archaea has histone proteins while 2. Lactobacillus Acidophilus- is another
that of eubacteria does not. bacillus-shaped species of bacteria naturally
found in places like the intestines and vagina,
where it protects against harmful bacteria. It is a Eukaryotes
probiotic, a bacterium found in certain foods like
yogurt and other fermented foods that is Eukaryotes- are organisms whose cells have a
consumed in order to help absorb nutrients and nucleus enclosed within a nuclear envelope.
replenish the body's supply of "good" bacteria. It Eukaryotes belong to the domain Eukaryota or
can also be consumed in small amounts by Eukarya; their name comes from the Greek (eu,
people with lactose intolerance in order to help "well" or "good") and (karyon, "nut" or "kernel").
them consume lactose.
-Eukaryotic cells are typically much larger than
3. Some bacteria can be extremely harmful, such those of prokaryotes, having a volume of around
as Clostridium Botulinum, the bacteria that 10.000 times greater than the prokaryotic cell.
causes botulism. C. botulinum produces the They have a variety of internal membrane-bound
neurotoxin botulinum, which is responsible for the structures, called organelles, and a
symptoms of botulism. Symptoms include blurred cytoskeleton composed of microtubules,
vision, nausea, trouble breathing, weakness, and microfilaments, and intermediate filaments, which
paralysis. Botulinum toxin is the deadliest known play an important role in defining the cell's
toxin: Just one kilogram of botulinum would be organization and shape. Eukaryotic DNA is
deadly enough to kill the entire human population. divided into several linear bundles called
chromosomes, which are separated by a
microtubular spindle during nuclear division.

There are four kingdoms within the domain

Eukarya:

 Kingdom Protista
 Kingdom Plantae
 Kingdom Fungi
 Kingdom Animalia

Archaea

Archaebacteria- are single-celled organisms that

can survive in extreme conditions. They are
believed to be the oldest form of organisms, being
about 3.5 billion years old. In the past, they were
placed under the Kingdom Monera along with
bacteria. However, this classification is no longer
followed. Since archaebacteria are biochemically
and genetically different from bacteria and
The term 'Protista' is derived from the Greek
possess unique evolutionary history, they have a
word "protistos", meaning "the very first". These
separate domain in the three-domain system of
organisms are usually unicellular and the cell of
biological classification. In fact, archaebacteria
these organisms contain a nucleus which is
are no longer called so, they are instead known
bound to the organelles. Some of them even
as archaea.
possess structures that aid locomotion like
Characteristics (Archaea): flagella or cilia.

Archaebacteria belong to a group of primitive Classification of Protista

prokaryotes that are able to live in an
Kingdom Protista is classified into the
environment that is not suitable for any other
following:
living organism. They are found in extreme
conditions of acidic, alkaline, salt marshes, and Protozoa
hot sulfur springs. Therefore, they are also called
extremophiles, i.e., lover of extreme conditions
Protozoans- are unicellular organisms. -In some rare cases, Protists are harvested by
Historically, protozoans were called "animal" humans for food and other industrial applications.
protists as they are heterotrophic, and showed
animal-like behaviors. -Phytoplankton is one of the sole food sources
for whales
-There are also parasitic protozoans which live in
the cells of larger organisms. Most of the -Seaweed is an alga, which is considered a plant-
members do not have a predefined shape. For like protist.
instance, an amoeba can change its shape -Zooplankton is fed on by various sea creatures
indefinitely but a paramecium has a definite including shrimp and larval crabs.
slipper-like shape. The most well-known
examples of protozoans are amoeba, Kingdom Plantae
paramecium, euglena. Unlike other members of
this group, euglena is a free-living protozoan that -Kingdom Plantae includes green, brown and
has chlorophyll, which means it can make its own red algae, liverworts, mosses, ferns and seed
food. plants with or without flowers. They have the
following characteristics:
The protozoans can be divided into four major
groups:  They are multicellular organisms with
walled and frequently vacuolate eukaryotic
1. Amoeboid protozoans - Mostly found in water cells.
bodies, either fresh or saline. They have  These contain photosynthetic pigment in
pseudopodia (false feet) which help to change plastids. The principle mode of nutrition is
their shape and in capturing and engulfing food. photosynthesis.
E.g. Amoeba  They are primarily non-motile and live
2. Flagellated protozoans - As the name anchored to a substrate.
suggests, the members of this group have  Reproduction is primarily asexual or
flagella. They can be free-living as well as sexual. The reproductive organs are
parasitic. E.g. Euglena multicellular. They form a multicellular
embryo during development from the
3. Ciliated protozoans - They have cilia all over zygote. Algae lack the embryo stage.
their body which help in locomotion as well as  The life cycle consists of alternating
nutrition. They are always aquatic. E.g. haploid gametophyte and diploid
Paramecium sporophyte generation. This phenomenon
is called the alternation of generation.
4. Sporozoans - These organisms are so-called
because their life cycle has a spore-like stage. Thallophyta (Algae)
For example, the malarial parasite. Plasmodium.
-They are simple, autotrophic non-vascular plants.
Economic Importance of Protists They have unicelled sex organs and no embryo
formation. These grow in specialized habitats:
-Protists serve as the foundation of the food
chain. 1. Cryophytes: These grow on snow or ice.

-Protists are symbionts - having a close 2. Thermophytes: These grow in hot water.
relationship between two species in which, one is
benefited. 3. Epiphytes: These are those algae that grow
on other plants (algae. angiosperms). Examples
-Some protists also produce oxygen and may be include Oedogonium, Cladophora, Vaucheria, etc.
used to produce biofuel.
4. Endophytes: Some blue-green algae grow as
-Protists are the primary sources of food for many endophytes inside other plants e.g., Anabaena
animals. growing inside the leaf of Azolla (fern).
5. Parasites: The alga Cephaleuros virescens -With the exception of a few animals, the majority
grows a parasite on the tea Ieaves. of animals are motile which allows them to
effectively respond to stimuli and find food, etc. In
general, animals are divided into two main groups
namely, vertebrates (animals with a backbone)
and invertebrates (animals that lack a backbone).
They are also divided into several phyla.

Some examples of animals include:

 Human beings
 Cows
 Fish
 Birds
 Sponges- Invertebrate
 Lobster- Invertebrate
 Spiders- Invertebrate
 Clams- Invertebrate

On the basis of nutrition, kingdom fungi can be

classified into 3 groups.

Saprophytic - The fungi obtain their nutrition by

feeding on dead organic substances. Examples:
Rhizopus, Penicillium and Aspergillus.

Parasitic - The fungi obtain their nutrition by

living on other living organisms (plants or animals)
and absorb nutrients from their host. Examples:
Taphrina and Puccinia.

Symbiotic - These fungi live by having an

interdependent relationship association with other
species in which both are mutually benefited.
Examples: Lichens and mycorrhiza. Lichens
are the symbiotic association between algae and
fungi. Here both algae and fungi are mutually
benefited as fungi provide shelter for algae and in
reverse algae synthesis carbohydrates for fungi.

Kingdom Animalia

-The Kingdom Animalia is a large group that

consists of eukaryotic, multicellular organisms
that are heterotrophic in nature. As such, they
obtain their nutrition from external sources.
Although they are unable to produce their own
food, which is one of the main defining
characteristics of plants, animal cells lack a cell
wall that is present in plant cells.
 Prokaryotes: Prokaryotes belong to the kingdom
Monera.

Eukaryotes: Eukaryotes belong to kingdom

Protista, kingdom Plantae. kingdom Fungi, and
kingdom Animalia.

Cell Type

Prokaryotes: Prokaryotes are unicellular

organisms.

Eukaryotes: Eukaryotes are multicellular

organisms.

Size of the cell

Prokaryotes: Prokaryotic cells are normally 0.1

to 10 µm in diameter.

Eukaryotes: These cells are normally 10 to 100

µm in diameter.

Nucleus
Similarities Between Prokaryotes and Prokaryotes: Prokaryotes have no true nucleus,
Eukaryotes: no nuclear membranes or nucleoli.
-Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes are two types Eukaryotes: Eukaryotic cells consist of a true
of organization of life. nucleus with double nuclear membranes and
nucleoli.
-Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes contain a cell
membrane, which is made up of a phospholipid DNA
bilayer.
Prokaryotes: Prokaryotes have a single, circular
-The genetic material of both prokaryotes and DNA molecule in the nucleoid. They lack histones
eukaryotes is DNA. or exons.
-Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes contain Eukaryotes: Eukaryotic cells have multiple, linear
ribosomes, which facilitates the translation of chromosomes in the nucleus. They contain
mRNA into an amino acid sequence. Histones, and exons.
-Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes are composed Membrane-bound Organelles
of a cytosol.
Prokaryotes: Prokaryotes cells lack membrane-
Difference Between Prokaryotes and bound organelles.
Eukaryotes:
Eukaryotes: Membrane bound organelles such
Definition as mitochondria, chloroplast. ER. and vesicles are
present in eukaryotes.
Prokaryotes: Prokaryotes are organisms that do
not possess a nucleus and membrane-bound Flagella
organelles.
Prokaryotes: Flagella are made up of two
Eukaryotes: Eukaryotes are organisms that proteins in prokaryotes.
possess membrane bound organelles including
the nucleus. Eukaryotes: Some eukaryotic cells without a cell
wall contain flagella.
Kingdom
Cell Wall

Prokaryotes: Prokaryotic cell walls are mostly

made up of peptidoglycans.

Eukaryotes: Eukaryotic cell walls are made up of

cellulose, chitin, and pectin.

Plasma Membrane

Prokaryotes: Carbohydrates and sterols are not

found in the plasma membrane of prokaryotes.

Eukaryotes: Carbohydrates and sterols serve as

receptors on the plasma membrane of
eukaryotes.

Cytoskeleton

Prokaryotes: Prokaryotes contain a primitive

cytoskeleton without cytoplasmic streaming.

Eukaryotes: Eukaryotes contain a complex

cytoskeleton with cytoplasmic streaming.

Cell Division

Prokaryotes: Cell division occurs through binary

fission in prokaryotes.

Eukaryotes: Cell division takes place through

mitosis in eukaryotes.

Sexual Reproduction

Prokaryotes: Sexual reproduction of prokaryotes

occurs by conjugation.

Eukaryotes: Sexual reproduction occurs through

production of gametes in eukaryotes.

Conclusion

-Prokaryotes and eukaryotes are two types of

organisms on earth. Bacteria and archaea are
prokaryotes. Animals, plants, fungi, protist,
protozoa, algae, are eukaryotes. Prokaryotes do
not contain membrane-bound organelles and a
nucleus. But, eukaryotes contain membrane-
bound organelles and a nucleus. The main
difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is
their cellular organization.