STUDY OF BACTERIA

Abstract

Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms and are among the earliest known life forms on Earth. They exist in every conceivable environment, with many strains being harmless or even beneficial, such as those that aid human digestion. However, a small fraction (less than 1%) of bacteria can cause illnesses ranging from salmonella and pneumonia to life-threatening diseases like sepsis and meningitis. Structurally, bacteria are prokaryotic organisms that contain their genetic information in a double-stranded circular DNA molecule. They display a wide range of shapes and sizes, from spherical cocci to rod-shaped bacilli and spiral spirochaetes, typically measuring 0.5–5.0 micrometres in length. Bacteria primarily reproduce asexually through binary fission. They often attach to surfaces to form dense aggregations called biofilms, which are clinically significant as the bacteria within them are much harder to kill than isolated cells.