Classifications and Uses of Bacteria
What are Bacteria?
Bacteria are single-celled, or simple, organisms that can be seen with the naked eye. They are a type of unicellular microorganism with cell walls but no organelles or an organized nucleus.
Many bacteria can be found inside and outside of organisms such as humans. Bacteria can be found on surfaces as well as in substances such as water, soil, and food, making them important players in the earth’s ecosystems.
Why do we study bacteria?
The study of microorganisms such as bacteria has provided a fundamental understanding of how living cells work.
They have enabled us to gain a molecular understanding of hundreds of disease-relevant proteins, allowing for rational drug design to improve human health.
Scientists are able to develop antibiotics and vaccines by studying microscopic organisms like bacteria.
Classifications of Bacteria
Bacteria are classified into various categories based on their characteristics and features. Bacterial classification is primarily based on the following factors:
Shape
The cell wall’s composition
Mode of Respiration
Mode of Nutrition
Bacterial Classification Based on Shape
Based on their shapes, bacteria are classified into;
Bacillus (Rod-shaped Bacteria)
Spirochete or Spirilla (Spiral-shaped Bacteria)
Coccus (Spherical-shaped Bacteria)
Vibro (Comma-shaped Bacteria)
Bacillus (Rod-shaped Bacteria)
Bacillus is a genus of rod-shaped, gram-positive, aerobic or (under certain conditions) anaerobic bacteria that are common in soil and water.
Escherichia coli (E.coli) is an example of a rod-shaped bacteria.
Spirochete or Spirilla (Spiral-shaped Bacteria)
Spirilla (singular, Spirillum) are bacteria that have a corkscrew appearance. There are two types of spiral cell and they are; spirillum and spirochete, with spirillum being rigid and having external flagella and spirochetes having internal flagella. Spirillum volutans is an example of spirilla.
Coccus (Spherical-shaped Bacteria)
Any bacterium or archaeon with a spherical, ovoid, or generally round shape is referred to as a coccus (plural cocci). Streptococcus pneumoniae is an example of a coccus.
Vibrio (Comma-shaped Bacteria)
Vibrio is a bacteria with a curved rod shape and a genus of the gram-negative bacteria.
Several species of Vibrio cause foodborne infections, which are usually associated with eating raw seafood.
Vibrio cholerae is an example of vibro.
Bacterial Classifications Based on the Composition of Their Cell Wall
Peptidoglycan Cell Wall
Peptidoglycan, also known as murein, is a polymer composed of sugars and amino acids that forms a mesh-like peptidoglycan layer outside most bacteria’s plasma membrane, thereby forming the cell wall. Gram-positive bacteria are bacteria with the peptidoglycan cell wall.
Lipopolysaccharide Cell Wall
Lipopolysaccharide cell walls are the primary components of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria.
Bacterial Classifications Based on Mode of Respiration
Bacteria can be aerobic or anaerobic depending on their mode of respiration. Each of them is further subdivided into two types: obligate and facultative.
Obligate Aerobes
Obligate aerobes are bacteria that need oxygen to grow and use oxygen as a final electron acceptor in aerobic respiration.
Obligate Anaerobes
These are bacteria that can only survive in the absence of oxygen.
Facultative Aerobes
A facultative aerobe is an organism that produces ATP through anaerobic respiration.
Facultative Anaerobes
Facultative anaerobes are bacteria that grow both in the presence and absence of oxygen.
Bacterial Classifications Based on Mode of Nutrition
Autotrophic and Heterotrophic nutrition are the most common modes of nutrition in bacteria, whereas heterotrophs do not produce their own food and must rely on readymade food from outside to survive.
Autotrophic Nutrition
The type of nutrition in which organisms synthesize their own food is known as autotrophic nutrition. Autotrophic bacteria produce their own food using energy from outside sources. These microorganisms are further classified as chemoautotrophs and photoautotrophs.
Types of Autotrophic Bacteria
Photoautotrophic Bacteria
Phototrophic bacteria are those that get their energy from light and their carbon from carbon dioxide (CO2). They are anaerobic in nature. Because no oxygen is required, the bacteria can survive in low-oxygen environments. Instead of water, hydrogen is used as a source of reducing power in this process. Organic and inorganic compounds are the sources of hydrogen.
Chemoautotrophic Bacteria
Chemoautotrophic bacteria obtain energy from the oxidation of inorganic compounds.
Heterotrophic Nutrition
Heterotrophic nutrition is a type of nutrition where organisms are unable to prepare their food thus depending on other energy sources for food.
Uses Of Bacteria
Bacteria are used to create products such as ethanol and enzymes.
They are also used in producing pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics and vaccines.
Bacteria are used for the production of biogas, such as methane.
They are used for cleaning oil spills and toxic waste.
Bacteria are used for food fermentation.
