Bacteria Examples

Bacteria are very tiny organisms that fit into their own kingdom of life. There are currently six different kingdoms of life: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists, Eubacteria and Archaebacteria. The reason that bacteria fit into their own two kingdoms of classification is because of one unique characteristic. Bacteria do not have a membrane-bound nucleus. In other words, the DNA or genetic code of a bacterial cell is not confined within a nuclear membrane, it is floating freely around the cytoplasm of the cell. There have been two kingdoms of bacteria formed because scientists discovered a specialized bacterial cell that lives in extreme environments and these bacteria have a fundamental difference from the bacteria that we are most accustomed to and that is that they do not have a carbohydrate known as peptidoglycan in their cell wall. Bacteria commonly have a bad reputation because they are most known for causing illness and disease. However, they do have many important and helpful uses for us and other living organisms. They come in three basic shapes often referenced in their names as part of their classification. The sphere-shaped bacteria are coccus, the rod-shaped bacteria are bacillus, and the corkscrew-shaped bacteria are called spirilla.

1. Lactobacillus acidophilus found in yogurt.

2. Staphylococcus aureus found on our skin.

3. Escherichia coli found in our gut to aid in digestion.

4. Staphlyococcuspneumoniae which causes pneumonia.

5. Clostridium botulinum which can contaminate canned goods and cause botulism.