8/25/2023 0 Comments Bacteria shapes and functionFor the most part, the shape is determined by the cell wall of the organism and therefore varies from one type of cocci bacteria to another. ![]() The following are the major categories of bacteria based on their shapes:Ĭocci bacteria appear spherical or oval in shape. While a majority of bacteria share these characteristics, they vary in shape which allows different types of bacteria to be classified based on their general shape. A majority of these organisms also have a cell wall and capsule that protects the inner contents of the cell where the nucleoid, ribosome, plasmid, and cytoplasm are found. Morphologically, bacteria are microscopic single-celled organisms that are small in size and lack membrane bound organelles. It was discovered in ocean sediments in Namibia (Southwest of Africa). * The Thiomargarita namibiensis is a Gram-negative bacterium that is coccoid in shape. ![]() As such, they can be seen with the naked eye - when they reach such sizes. This makes them some of the largest bacteria ever discovered. For instance, whereas Schaudinnum bütschlii that measure between 4 and 5um in diameter are considered to be large bacteria, Thiomargarita namibiensis may grow to be as large as 0.75mm in diameter. Some bacteria are large enough to see with the naked eye. They are found in such hosts as human beings, plants and a variety of insects. * Although such bacteria as Mycoplasma lack a cell wall, they can exist independently. ![]() Some examples of these bacteria include Mycoplasmas (about 0.25um), Haemophilus influenzae which ranges between 0.2 and 0.3um and Mycoplasma gallicepticum which range between 200 and 300 nanometers in diameter. Although they have been shown to range between 0.2 and 0.5um (200 to 500 nanometers) there have been studies where some were found to filter through 0.1um filters. They are characterized by their slow growth under aerobic conditions as well as being Gram-negative in nature. There has been some debate about their classification but some of the smallest bacteria are microorganisms known as nanobacterium. They also vary in length when compared to each other. coli bacteria range between 1.1 and 1.5 um in diameters, B. anthracis range between 1.0 and 1.2um while B. subtilis range between 0.25 and 1.0um in diameter. This, however, only considers the diameter of the organisms and not the length.įor instance, whereas E. However, there are some that hold this to range between 1 and 10 micrometers. The following are different sizes of bacteria:Īccording to many microbiology books, the average size of most bacteria is between 0.2 and 2.0 micrometer (diameter). * Given that the limit of resolution for a human eye (naked eye) is between 100 and 200 um (about the diameter of a human hair) then the majority of bacteria cannot be seen with the naked eye. In bacteriology, the micron (micrometer) is the primary unit of measurement: I micrometer (um) is one-thousandth of a millimeter. In the process, they are able to continue growing and reproducing at a steady rate. In addition, they can also live and survive in environments that contain a low concentration of nutrients for instance, a group of bacteria known as oligotrophic bacteria.īacteria have a high surface area to volume ratio that allows them to take up as many nutrients as possible for survival. Bacteria can continue relying on a range of hosts (large and small) for their nutrition. The small size of bacteria is also beneficial for parasitism and oligotrophy. Because various microorganisms are absent in such environments, bacteria successfully exploit resources available and thrive in such environments. These include such environments as the vertical gradients in intertidal marine sediments in which various types of bacteria have been found. Research studies have shown their size to play an important role in survival over time.ĭue to their small size, bacteria are able to exploit and thrive in various microenvironments. ![]() In general, bacteria are between 0.2 and 2.0 um - the average size of most bacteria.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |