Bacteria are said to be the oldest and simplest organisms on the planet

        Simple- Their simple construction allows for reproduction to occur at a faster rate. Because they are simple in construction this also allows them to mutate or change quite  easily. Remember that mutation is not necessarily a negative development. Many mutations of organism are greatly benificial to the organism that has mutated, like bacteria mutating to  antibodies that are administered to the body.

Simple Construction

    1) Small Size- this allows them  to maintain a wide variety of environments. Almost anywhere you can imagine, bacteria are present. ADVANTAGE- They can reproduce in mass numbers which allows them to also mutate through time which will bring about adaptations to their environment. Because they are small, they may also gain access to a great number of places.
    2) Few Organelles- The only organelle all cells share in common, are the ribosomes, which produce proteins, since all cells need protein material. ADVANTAGE- Since they have few organelles, they are less specific and therefore easier to construct during reproduction
    3) No Nucleus- Prokaryotic
    4) Simple Membranes- which allows materials to easily enter, which is how these organisms perceive their environment and gain nutrient material.
    5) Single Strand DNA-We have a double helical strands of genetic material in our nucleus's, but bacteria have only a single strand which makes for easier replication or copying.
 

Endosymbiosis- the theory of how prokaryotic cells evolved into eukaryotic cells. Parasitic bacteria entered host cells and they lived symbiotically with the host and eventually lost their ability to live outside the host cell.

Bacteria-Prokaryotic

Reproduction- All bacteria reproduce asexually through binary fission(a splitting of one cell into two) . This type of reproduction produces identicle copies or replicas of the original parent organism unless a mutation occurs.

Mutation- Is an altered genetic state of an organism. In this case the genetic material did not properly controll the development of the organism and some type of physical characteristic came about out of the offspring during reproduction. Most of the time this is considered as a negative occurance, but in reality, mutations allow new characteristics to emerge in offspring and if these characteristics are benificial to the offspring, it will continue to be reproduced. IF the characteristic is detrimental or life threatening, the offspring will not have the opportunity to live long enough to reproduce so the characteristic will not continue to exist.

Bacteria-
Identification-Shape

    1) Cocci- Circular
    2) Bacilli- Rod
    3) Spirilli- Spiral

Single Celled-Unicellular- even though all bacteria are unicellular, many of them live in colonies

Colonies- are large groups of bacteria or organisms that live together in a group. Each member of the colony can still carry on all the characteristics of life, but often times the colony will start seperating the task for survival, this is how scientist feel that multicellular organisms came about.

Staphylo- is a group of bacteria living in a cluster or group
-Strepto- is when the bacteria are living in a colony which takes shape of the line or filament.

Bacteria are different than many other organisms. They have a cell membrane which is encased or enclosed in a cell wall. The cell wall provides protection for the bacteria.

General Characteristics

    1) Prokaryotic-
    2) Unicellular
    3) Small in size- 1 pikameter
    4) Capsule- Protein Coat
    5) Two Kingdoms
            Archabacteria- Peptodoglycan
            Eubacteria- Anaerobic