8Dc

Introducing bacteria

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8Dc Bacteria

Bacteria are prokaryotes as their cells are very simple and

they have no nucleus or mitochondria.

Bacterial cells are

also small – about
1/10 the size of an
average animal or
plant cell.

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8Dc Bacteria

Bacteria are unicellular, although in some species the cells

may group together in particular patterns.

Streptococcus
bacteria tend to stick
together after division,
often forming long
chains.
Streptococcus species
are found everywhere.
One species is used
for making yoghurt.

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8Dc Bacteria

Staphylococcus bacteria are easily identified because they

stick together in small bunches.

Staphylococcus
aureus is often found
on skin or in the nose,
and usually has no
effect.
However, they can
occasionally cause
skin infections or
blood poisoning.

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8Dc Bacteria

Coccal bacteria, like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are

ball-shaped. Other bacteria are rod-shaped.

Escherichia coli is a rod-

shaped species found in
the large intestine of
mammals and birds.
Most E. coli are helpful as
they help to digest food,
and protect the gut from
harmful bacteria.
However some types can
cause serious food
poisoning.
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8Dc Bacteria

Bacteria with ‘bacillus’ in the name are all rod-shaped.

This is Lactobacillus bulgaricus.

Lactobacillus
bulgaricus is one of
the species of bacteria

used to make yoghurt.

Another rod-shaped
bacterium is Yersinia
pestis which caused
the Black Death.

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8Dc Bacteria

Vibrio bacteria are rod-shaped, but slightly curved. They

also have a flagellum (tail) that helps them move around.

Vibrio cholerae is
named after the disease

it causes, cholera.
People suffering from
cholera produce large
quantities of liquid
faeces (diarrhoea).

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8Dc Bacteria

One of the largest types of bacteria is Spirillum. These may

be five times longer than the average human cell.

Spirillum bacteria are

corkscrew-shaped with
several flagella at one end.
Movement of the flagella
helps the bacteria swim
through water, where they
are commonly found.

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