Prokaryote Notes Bacteria and Viruses 2012
Bacteria & Viruses
Bacteria A.Prokaryotic organisms B. Divided into 2 kingdoms 1.Eubacteria a.Very diverse; live almost anywhere b.Surrounded by a cell wall 2.Archaebacteria a.Live in harsh conditions b.Possible ancestor to eukaryotes
C.Identified by specific characteristics 1.Shape a.Rod: bacilli b.Round/spherical: cocci c.Spiral: spirrilla 2.Cell Wall (thick or thin 3.Movement a.Sessile b.Flagella c.Snake or spiral forward d.Glide along a slime-like material
D.Metabolic Processes 1.Mostly heterotrophs 2.Some autotroughs 3.All need energy E.Growth and reproduction 1.Binary Fission 2.Conjugation 3.Spore formation F.Purpose: Vital to the maintenance of the living world
Purpose 1.Environment a.Decomposers b.Nitrogen fixers 2.Human uses a.Food production b.Industrial Uses c.Genetic Engineering d.Produce vitamins within our bodies
II. Viruses A.Characteristics 1.Considered abiotic; does not have all the characteristics of life 2.Composed of a core of DNA or a RNA surrounded by a protein coat (capsid) 3.The capsid enable the virus to enter the host cell 4.Highly specific to the type of cell they infect
B.Need host cell to reproduce; parasitic C. May have evolved from the genetic material from living cells; viruses continue to evolve and adapt to their changing environment