- Published: September 18, 2022
- Updated: September 18, 2022
- University / College: The University of Melbourne
- Language: English
- Downloads: 35
Introduction
Among the most diverse organisms are bacteria. They are microscopic organism whose identification is done using a method called gram staining. Bacteria are found in different habitats. Bacteria are both harmful and beneficial to human beings. With the advancement in technology, even the finest details of these organisms can be studied. There are various types of bacteria. They differ in shape, size, function and formation. Below are a few examples.
Escherichia coli(E. Coli)
It is a bacterium that is normally found in the gut of animals that are warm blooded. It belongs to the family enterobacteriaceae. It is formed through DNA replication. It is beneficial since it helps in synthesis of vitamin k2 (Donnenberg 13). It causes food poisoning. It is prokaryotic, capable of both aerobic and anaerobic respiration, gram negative (no cell) and non-spore forming. It is rod-shaped.
Orientia tsutsugamushi
It is a pathogenic bacteria found in ticks and fleas. It causes scrub typhus in humans. The disease is transmitted to humans when the vector bites. It belongs to the family Rickettsiaceae. It is formed by replication. Its major features are; it is gram negative, non-spore forming, rod shaped, highly pleomorphic and non-motile (Etymologia 16). The bacteria cannot survive outside living cells.
Treponema pallidum
It is a spiral-shaped bacteria which lives in human beings. It is acquired through close sexual associations. It belongs to the family Spirochaetaceae (Willcox 08). It causes syphilis in human beings. It has a cytoplasmic and an outer membrane. It is gram negative. Due to its endoflagella, it moves in a twisting like manner. There reproduction is through replication of cells.
Below is a table showing a few differences between the three bacteria
Works cited
Donnenberg, Michael S. Escherichia Coli: Virulence Mechanisms of a Versatile Pathogen. Amsterdam: Academic Press, 2002. Print.
Etymologia: Orientia Tsutsugamushi. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n. d.. Internet resource.
Willcox, Richard R, and T Guthe. Treponema Pallidum. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2000. Print.
