Media Is Boon or Bane
FIVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BACTERIA
Bacteria are some of the most diverse organisms in nature. These single-celled organisms cannot be seen with the naked eye and are found in many different habitats, like soil, air, water, hot springs and acidic environments. Bacteria are identified using a method called Gram staining, whereby a stain is used to differentiate different types of organisms. Bacteria with and without a cell wall are classified as Gram-positive or Gram-negative, respectively. Bacterial types vary by shape and size.
Coccus
Coccus refers to spherical shaped bacteria that may live as individual cells, or pair up to form chains or bunches. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are the most common bacteria in this group and usually are Gram-positive. These bacteria perform useful functions in the body and environment but they can be harmful. Staphylococcus aureus can cause impetigo (skin infection), scalded skin syndrome and food poisoning, while Streptococcus pyogenes may cause tonsillitis and strep throat.
Bacillus
Bacillus refers to rod shaped bacteria that are usually Gram-positive or negative. E. coli and Salmonella are the most commonly encountered species responsible for food poisoning and typhoid fever, respectively. According to the University at Albany, bacillus also includes two of the most dangerous bacteria known, that is Bacillus anthracis, which causes the lung disease anthrax, and Clostridium, which causes botulism, gangrene and tetanus.
Rickettsia
Rickettsia is a very unique type of bacteria because it behaves like a virus and cannot survive outside living cells. The organism is Gram-negative, coccus or sphere-shaped, and is spread through the bite of infected fleas, ticks and lice, which are known as vectors, or carriers. Rickettsia is responsible for typhus, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever and Rickettsialpox, a body rash.
Mycoplasma
Mycoplasma does not have a cell wall and may be rod or sphere-shaped. This gives the organism a unique
Bacteria are some of the most diverse organisms in nature. These single-celled organisms cannot be seen with the naked eye and are found in many different habitats, like soil, air, water, hot springs and acidic environments. Bacteria are identified using a method called Gram staining, whereby a stain is used to differentiate different types of organisms. Bacteria with and without a cell wall are classified as Gram-positive or Gram-negative, respectively. Bacterial types vary by shape and size.
Coccus
Coccus refers to spherical shaped bacteria that may live as individual cells, or pair up to form chains or bunches. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are the most common bacteria in this group and usually are Gram-positive. These bacteria perform useful functions in the body and environment but they can be harmful. Staphylococcus aureus can cause impetigo (skin infection), scalded skin syndrome and food poisoning, while Streptococcus pyogenes may cause tonsillitis and strep throat.
Bacillus
Bacillus refers to rod shaped bacteria that are usually Gram-positive or negative. E. coli and Salmonella are the most commonly encountered species responsible for food poisoning and typhoid fever, respectively. According to the University at Albany, bacillus also includes two of the most dangerous bacteria known, that is Bacillus anthracis, which causes the lung disease anthrax, and Clostridium, which causes botulism, gangrene and tetanus.
Rickettsia
Rickettsia is a very unique type of bacteria because it behaves like a virus and cannot survive outside living cells. The organism is Gram-negative, coccus or sphere-shaped, and is spread through the bite of infected fleas, ticks and lice, which are known as vectors, or carriers. Rickettsia is responsible for typhus, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever and Rickettsialpox, a body rash.
Mycoplasma
Mycoplasma does not have a cell wall and may be rod or sphere-shaped. This gives the organism a unique