BSC 196 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Sailfin Molly, Staphylococcus Epidermidis, Gram-Positive Bacteria
Document Summary
The oldest and most abundant life forms on earth. Fossil evidence dates their origins to about 3. 5 billion years ago. Diverse in shape and body chemistry, can live in a vast array of habitats. Most prokaryotes are unicellular, but some form multicellular colonies with specialized cells (ex. Encased in capsule and cell wall made of peptidoglycan. Plasma membrane: permeable to allow molecules in and out. Play key roles in global nutrient cycles, symbioses with other organisms, and as pathogens that cause diseases. Reproduce very rapidly and are highly adaptable (horizontal gene transfer). Many species thrive in extreme environments (thermal vents, salt ponds, etc. Differ from bacteria in membrane components, metabolism, genetics. Energy from light, carbon from co2 (ex. Energy from light, carbon from organic compounds made by other organisms. Energy from oxidizing inorganic substances, carbon from co2. Distinguishes between groups of bacteria that differ in the makeup of their cell walls.
