BIOL 1002 Chapter : Chapter 20
Document Summary
Biofilm = one or more species of prokaryote aggregate to form a community typically surrounded by a sticky protective slime. Bacteria in biofilms are protected from disinfectants and antibiotics formed by bacteria harmful to humans can be very difficult to eradicate. Which of the following is the most important reason to brush your teeth everyday: it eliminates and prevents the biofilms formed by bacteria. Endospores are thickly wrapped particles of genetic material and a few enzymes. Form inside some bacteria under inhospitable environmental conditions. Prokaryotes occupy a wide range of habitats. Anaerobic metabolism: some bacteria such as tetanus bacterium, are anaerobes and live without oxygen (and are poisoned by it) Some bacteria can switch between aerobic and anaerobic respiration: escherichia coli in our large intestine. Most prokaryotes reproduce asexually by prokaryotic fission (also called binary fission) Prokaryotic fission is a form of cell division much simpler than miotic cell division. Binary fission can occur every 20 mins.
