12 Questions
What is the genetic material present in bacteria?
DNA
How do some bacteria obtain their food?
By absorbing from other organisms
What is the method of reproduction in bacteria when conditions are favorable?
Binary fission
Which process involves some bacteria using chemical energy to produce food?
Chemosynthesis
What is the term for bacteria that break down dead organisms and absorb nutrients?
Decomposers
Under what conditions can bacteria be stimulated to reproduce in a laboratory setting?
Correct temperature and sufficient resources
What role do autotrophic bacteria play in an ecosystem?
Manufacturing their own food and starting the food chain
Which type of bacteria feeds on dead animals and breaks down dead organisms to release nutrients back to the environment?
Saprophytic bacteria
How does tuberculosis typically spread from one person to another?
Through little droplets from sneezing or coughs passing through the air
What is the purpose of performing X-ray tests on individuals suspected of having tuberculosis?
To check for visible patches of destroyed lung tissue
Which process involves genetically engineering bacteria to produce human insulin?
Recombinant DNA technology
What happens if a patient with tuberculosis does not complete the full duration of antibiotic medication?
The patient develops resistance to the drug
Study Notes
Characteristics of Bacteria
- Bacteria are unicellular, prokaryotic, and carry out all life processes on their own.
- DNA is present in strands bundled together called a nucleoid.
Nutrition of Bacteria
- Autotrophic bacteria have chlorophyll and photosynthesize or use chemical energy to produce food by chemosynthesis.
- Some bacteria absorb food from other organisms, while others are parasites that live within other living things.
- Many bacteria are decomposers, breaking down dead organisms and absorbing the necessary nutrients.
Reproduction of Bacteria
- Bacteria reproduce by dividing into two in a process similar to mitosis, called binary fission.
- Each bacterial cell produces genetically identical offspring.
- Favourable conditions for reproduction include correct temperature, sufficient food, water, and space.
Biological Importance of Bacteria
- Autotrophic bacteria are producers that manufacture their own food, starting the food chain.
- Saprotrophic bacteria act as decomposers, breaking down dead organisms to release nutrients back into the environment.
- Pathogenic bacteria cause disease and death in other organisms, helping to balance ecosystem populations.
- Symbiotic bacteria form mutualistic relationships with other organisms, benefiting both parties.
Tuberculosis
- Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which attacks and destroys lung tissue.
- Spread through airborne droplets from sneezing or coughing.
- Diagnosed using X-rays to detect destroyed lung tissue and TB skin tests to detect latent TB.
Treatment of Tuberculosis
- Antibiotic medication must be taken for the full duration to prevent relapse and drug resistance.
Genetic Engineering of Bacteria
- Human insulin-producing gene is removed from a healthy pancreatic cell and inserted into a bacterial plasmid.
- The recombined DNA is reinserted into a bacterial cell, which reproduces and produces insulin.
- The harvested insulin is ready for distribution as medication.
Test your knowledge on the characteristics and nutrition of bacteria. Learn about their unicellular nature, prokaryotic structure, DNA organization, and various methods of obtaining nutrition such as photosynthesis, chemosynthesis, absorption, and parasitism.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
