Types of Microorganisms

MicrobiologyUnit 1

Types of Microorganisms

Bacteria Archaea Fungi

Protozoa Algae Viruses

Multicellular Animal

Parasites

Bacteria

UnicellularProkaryotes (no nucleus)Shapes:

Bacillus (rodlike)Coccus (spherical)Spiral (corkscrew)

Shapes and Arrangements

Bacteria

Cell walls composed of peptidoglycanReproduce by binary fission (dividing into two cells)Some autotrophs, some heterotrophsMany can “swim” using flagella

Archaea

ProkaryotesCells walls lack peptidoglycan

Extreme environmentsMethanogens: produce methane as a waste product of respirationExtreme halophiles: extremely salty environmentsExtreme thermophiles: hot sulfurous water

Not known to cause human disease

Fungi

Eukaryotes (cells have a nucleus & organelles)Unicellular or multicellular

Unicellular: yeastMulticellular: mushrooms, molds

Cell walls composed of chitinReproduce sexually or asexuallyheterotrophs

Protozoa

UnicellularEukaryoticMove by

Pseudopods (false feet): amoebasLong flagellaNumerous short cilia

Can live either free or as parasites (derive nutrients from a living host)Reproduce sexually or asexually

Algae

PhotosyntheticEukaryotesSexual and asexual reproductionCell walls composed of cellulose (like plants)Unicellular (for microbiology purposes)

Viruses

Living???Acellular (not cellular)Most only seen with electron microscopeMade of a core of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coatCan only reproduce using the cellular machinery of other organisms

Multicellular Animal Parasites

Helminths (parasitic worms)Two major groups: Flatworms and roundworms

Microscopic in size during some stages of their life cycle

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