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Micro-life: Bacteria. You will understand and comprehend the characteristics of bacteria. Bacteria Characteristics:. LIVING Single Celled organisms Contain DNA and RNA genetic material Most have a cell wall (protective layer) May have a capsule around cell wall (most disease causing do)
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Micro-life: Bacteria You will understand and comprehend the characteristics of bacteria
Bacteria Characteristics: • LIVING Single Celled organisms • Contain DNA and RNA genetic material • Most have a cell wall (protective layer) • May have a capsule around cell wall (most disease causing do) • Have small hair like extensions called Pilus (i) • May produce an ENDOSPORE when placed in unfavorable conditions
3 Forms of Bacteria • 3 basic forms • Cocci- Round • Bacillus- Rod Shaped • Spirilla- “Curly Fries”
Bacteria Needs and Reproduction • Bacteria need moisture, food source and warm in general to grow • Lungs, Mouth, and Nasal Passages are ideal growing places for bacteria • Body’s production of mucus with enzymes helps prevent bacteria from growing • Bacteria reproduce rapidly when needs are met
Bacteria Reproduction: 2 ways • Fission (asexual/cloning)- Bacteria simply makes duplicate copies if genes and divides. DNA is exact same for both parent and “daughter cell” • Fusion (sexual)- Bacteria exchanges genetic material with another bacterium. DNA is different than “Parent” bacterium.
2 Types of Bacteria • Archaebacteria- “Extremeophiles” live in harsh environments, deep sea, deep underground, volcanic areas: DO NOT NEED OXYGEN TO SURVIVE: Autotrophs-make their own food (light) • Eubacteria- found commonly everywhere: Heterotrophs- need food source to live
Common Diseases from Bacteria • Anthrax, Botulism, Tetanus, Typhoid fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Pneumonia, Strep Throat
Medicines made by bacteria • Insulin, amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, netilmicin, paromomycin, streptomycin, tobramycin and apramycin and antifungal medicines • Also being looked as possible source to fight cancer(?) • Foods made with bacteria aid, pickles, vinegar, yogurt, and cheese
BIG PROBLEM • Overuse of antibiotics has lead to “Super strains” of bacteria to “evolve” • Very hard to kill bacteria that cause MRSA or STAPH infection • MOST HOSIPTALS HAVE THESE SUPERSTRANDS within them!
How your body responds to the “Bacterial INVASION” • Natural Killer Cells arrive and attack bacteria • B cells release antibodies that can smother the bacteria, not allowing it to move (B cells must recognize bacterial coating, so you need a past “encounter”/infection) • MACROPHAGES come and eat the invader creating a fever and more immune cells • Antibiotics help accelerate the process killing bacteria and promoting a quicker response by the body’s immune system