Alisha's Life Diversity Project: Bacteria

Parts of the Bacteria Cell:

Cell wall: The cell wall is the outermost barrier it determines the shape of the bacteria. It is made up of proteins and lipids.
Cell membrane: This is the inner most barrier that allows the bacteria to be flexible and regulates movement in and out of the cell. This is the part of the cell that penicillin attacks because it is an antibiotic that inhibits the bacteria from reforming the barrier.
Pili: These are what allows the cell to cling to surfaces because these are many projections from the bacteria.
Flagella: The flagellum allows the bacteria cell to move or swim around.
Capsule: This is the layer that encloses the cell and protects it from white blood cells.

The Good: Some good bacteria help us with digestion along with making vitamins. Large quantities of good bacteria inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

The Bad: The bad thing about some bacteria is that it can spoil food, create diseases and illnesses, and may also hold an odor.

Reproduction:

Binary Fission: This is asexual reproduction by one bacteria cell duplicating by itself into two new and identical daughter cells.
Conjugation: This is sexual reproduction where there is an exchange of genetic information through the conjugation tube. After conjugation occurs, binary fission takes over. This process creates new combinations of genetic material possible creating a stronger bacteria cell.

Gram Test: This is the first test used to classify an isolated colony. Hans Gram created this system in 1844.

Gram+ is when the bacteria cell walls bind to a violet dye.
Gram- is representative of those that do not retain the dye.

Growth Dynamics:

Lag phase: cell adapts to the new environment.
Growth Phase: there is an explosive growth of culture.
Stationary phase: the growth comes to a halt because there is a lack of oxygen.
Death phase: this is when the cells die.... this is common in most cultures.

Sir Alexander Fleming and Fighting Bacteria: In 1928 Sir Alexander Fleming was enthralled with looking at bacteria growing. He would observe mold and fungus that grew around bacteria. Sir Alexander Fleming noticed that he had left a culture grow on his desk for the entire time he was on vacation. He noticed that there was a clear ring around the bacteria. The mold growing was creating a substance that killed the bacteria. The name of this mold is Penicillium so Sir Alexander Fleming called it penicillin. Other ways to fight against bacteria are to boil unfiltered water before drinking it, washing our hands with soap and warm water, antibiotics, and microwaving things like food or wash cloths.

The Bacterial Resistance: There are many bacteria on this planet that can't be killed with medicines because they are resistant. These bacteria react like this;