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1. Biology
2. Biology Article
3. Bacteria

Bacteria
One of the very first organisms to evolve on earth was probably a unicellular organism, similar to
modern bacteria. Ever since then, life has evolved into a multitude of lifeforms over many millennia.
However, we can still trace our ancestry back to this single-celled organism.
Table of Contents

 Definition
 Diagram
 Structure
 Classification
 Reproduction
 Useful Bacteria
 Harmful Bacteria
Today, bacteria are considered as one of the oldest forms of life on earth. Even though most
bacteria make us ill, they have a long-term mutual relationship with humans and are very much
important for our survival. But before we elaborate on its uses, let us know the structure of bacteria,
its classification, and bacteria diagram in detail.
Bacteria Definition
“Bacteria are unicellular organisms belonging to the prokaryotic group
where the organisms lack a few organelles and a true nucleus”.
Also Read: Gram Negative Bacteria

Bacteria Diagram
The bacteria diagram given below represents the structure of bacteria with its different parts.  The
cell wall, plasmid, cytoplasm and flagella are clearly marked in the diagram.

Bacteria Diagram representing the Structure of Bacteria

Structure of Bacteria
The structure of bacteria is known for its simple body design. Bacteria are single-celled
microorganisms with the absence of the nucleus and other cell organelles; hence, they
classified as prokaryotic organisms.
They are also very versatile organisms, surviving in extremely inhospitable conditions. Such
organisms are called extremophiles. Extremophiles are further categorized into various types based
on the types of environments they inhabit:

1. Thermophiles
2. Acidophiles
3. Alkaliphiles
 4. Osmophiles
5. Barophiles
6. Cryophiles

Another fascinating feature of bacteria is their protective cell wall, which is made up of a special

protein called peptidoglycan. This particular protein isn’t found anywhere else in nature except in the
cell walls of bacteria.
But few of them are devoid of this cell wall, and others have a third protection layer called capsule.
On the outer layer, one or more flagella or pili is attached, and it functions as a locomotory organ. Pili
can also help certain bacteria to attach themselves to the host’s cells. They do not contain any cell
organelle as in animal or plant cell except for ribosomes.
Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis. In addition to this DNA, they have an extra circular
DNA called plasmid. These plasmids make some strains of bacteria resistant to antibiotics.
Also Read: Gram Positive Bacteria

Classification of Bacteria
Bacteria can be classified into various categories based on their features and characteristics. The
classification of bacteria is mainly based on the following:

 Shape
 Composition of the cell wall
 Mode of respiration
 Mode of nutrition

Classification of bacteria based on Shape

Type of Classification Examples

Bacillus (Rod-shaped) Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Spirilla or spirochete (Spiral) Spirillum volutans

Coccus (Sphere) Streptococcus pneumoniae

Vibrio (Comma-shaped) Vibrio cholerae

Classification of bacteria based on the Composition of the Cell

Wall

Type of Classification Examples

Peptidoglycan cell wall Gram-positive bacteria

Lipopolysaccharide cell wall Gram-negative bacteria

Classification of bacteria based on the Mode of Nutrition

Type of Classification Examples

Autotrophic Bacteria Cyanobacteria

Heterotrophic Bacteria All disease-causing bacteria

Classification of bacteria based on the Mode of Respiration

Type of Classification Examples

Anaerobic Bacteria Actinomyces

Aerobic Bacteria Mycobacterium

Also Read: Difference between Bacteria and Virus

Reproduction in Bacteria

Bacteria follow an asexual mode of reproduction called binary fission. A single bacterium divides

into two daughter cells. These are identical to the parent cell as well as to each other. Replication of
DNA within parent bacterium marks the beginning of the fission. Eventually, cell elongates to form
two daughter cells.
The rate and timing of reproduction depend upon the conditions like temperature and availability of
nutrients. When there is a favourable condition, E.coli or Escherichia coli produces about 2 million
bacteria every 7 hours.
Bacterial reproduction is strictly asexual, but it can undergo sexual reproduction in very rare cases.
Genetic recombination in bacteria has the potential to occur through conjugation, transformation,
or transduction. In such cases, the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics since there is
variation in the genetic material (as opposed to asexual reproduction where the same genetic
material is present in generations)
Also Read: Binary fission.

Useful Bacteria
Not all bacteria are harmful to humans. There are some bacteria which are beneficial in different
ways. Listed below are few benefits of bacteria:

1. Convert milk into curd – Lactobacillales or lactic acid bacteria

2. Ferment food products – Streptococcus and Bacillus
3. Help in digestion and improving the body’s immunity system – Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes,
Firmicutes, Proteobacteria
4. Production of antibiotics which is used in the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections
– Soil bacteria

Also Refer: Antibiotics

Harmful Bacteria
There are bacteria that can cause a multitude of illnesses. They are responsible for many of
the infectious diseases like pneumonia, tuberculosis, diphtheria, syphilis, tooth decay. Their effects
can be rectified by taking antibiotics and prescribed medication.
However, precaution is much more effective. Most of these disease-causing bacteria can be
eliminated by sterilizing or disinfecting exposed surfaces, instruments, tools and other utilities. These
methods include- application of heat, disinfectants, UV radiations, pasteurization, boiling, etc.
To know more about bacteria, its definition, the structure of bacteria, bacteria diagram, classification
of bacteria, and reproduction in bacteria keep visiting BYJU’S website or download BYJU’S app for
further reference.
Also Read:

 Cryptobiosis
 Microorganisms: Friend And Foe
 Biology

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the different types of bacteria??

Bacteria can be divided into several types based on several characteristics such as shape, cell wall
composition, mode of respiration, and mode of nutrition.

2. What is bacteria? How do you define bacteria?

Bacteria are prokaryotic unicellular organisms. They have a relatively simple cell structure compared
to eukaryotic cells. They also do not possess any membrane-bound organelles such as a nucleus.
However, do they possess genetic material (DNA or RNA) in the intracellular space called the
nucleoid
3. How do bacteria reproduce?
Bacteria reproduce through a process called binary fission. In this process, a single bacterium
divides into two daughter cells. These daughter cells are identical to the parent cell as well as to
each other.

4. State 4 examples of bacteria.

 Streptococcus
 Bacillus
  Actinobacteria
 Proteobacteria

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