Understanding Bacteria Basics
Ever wonder who discovered bacteria? Louis Pasteur is considered the father of Microbiology and Bacteriology. He famously proved that microbes caused wine and milk to go sour, changing how we understand these tiny organisms.
Bacteria belong to the domain Prokaryotes—single-celled organisms without a nucleus. Unlike our cells (eukaryotes), bacterial DNA floats freely in the cytoplasm instead of being enclosed in a nuclear membrane. Bacteria like E. coli show this basic structure.
Many bacteria can move around using flagella, responding to different stimuli in their environment. They might move toward food (chemotaxis), light (phototaxis), moisture (hydrotaxis), or oxygen (aerotaxis).
Fun Fact: Scientists recently divided prokaryotes into two separate domains—Bacteria and Archaea—with Eukaryotes (like us) forming the third domain of life. Archaea often live in extreme environments like hot springs and salt lakes!
Bacteria come wrapped in a protective cell wall made of peptidoglycan that gives them their shape. Some, like E. coli, have an extra outer membrane that makes them tougher to kill.
