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Bacteria - Definition, Structure, Diagram, Types & Classification

Bacteria - Definition, Structure, Diagram, Types & Classification

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Jul 25, 2025 06:35 PM IST

Bacteria are cosmopolitan, mostly free-living organisms, consisting of one cell. They constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. They vary from a few micrometres in length, and they were among the first life forms to appear on Earth and are found in a variety of habitats. They inhabit air, soil, water, acidic hot springs, and the deepest biosphere of Earth’s crust.

This Story also Contains
  1. What are Bacteria?
  2. Ultrastructure of a Bacterial Cell
  3. Classification of Bacteria
  4. Domains of Bacteria
  5. Functions of Bacteria
  6. Examples of Bacteria
  7. Surviving Conditions of Bacteria
  8. Facts about Bacteria
  9. MCQs on Archaebacteria and Eubacteria
Bacteria - Definition, Structure, Diagram, Types & Classification
Bacteria

Bacteria play a major role in many stages of the nutrient cycle by recycling nutrients and helping in nitrogen fixation from the atmosphere in the soil. The nutrient cycle includes the decomposition of dead matter, and responsible for the putrefaction stage in this process. Extremophile bacteria are found surrounding the hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, providing the nutrients to the biological community present there by converting chemicals to energy. The study of bacteria is known as bacteriology, a branch of microbiology. Bacteria are an important chapter in the Biology subject.

What are Bacteria?

Bacteria are unicellular organisms belonging to the prokaryotic group, where the organisms lack a few organelles and a true nucleus. The study of bacterial cells is known as bacteriology. Bacteriology is the subfield of microbiology which involves the identification, classification and characterisation of various bacterial cells. In our daily life, bacteria are useful, for example, during the formation of curd; at that time, lactobacillus bacteria form curd from milk.

Bacteria Diagram

The structure of a typical bacterial cell with its various parts is depicted in the diagram below. The cell wall, cytoplasm, plasmid, and flagella are clearly marked in the diagram.

Structure of Bacteria

Ultrastructure of a Bacterial Cell

Generally, all bacteria have cell walls and a plasma membrane. The cell membrane is made up of a lipid bilayer, which provides fluidity to the cell membrane. The cell wall is made up of peptidoglycan, which provides a rigid structure to the cell.

The cell wall is a thicker structure than the cell membrane. The cell membrane covers the cytoplasmic region of the bacterial cell. The cytoplasmic region is occupied with DNA, protein, ribosomes, vacuoles and storage bodies.

Classification of Bacteria

Bacteria can be classified based on their shape. Also, according to Gram staining, Bacteria are divided into Gram-positive Bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria. Gram staining differentiates a bacterium into Gram-positive or Gram-negative, based on the cell wall composition of that particular bacterium.

Based on Shape

Type of Classification

Examples

Bacillus (Rod-shaped)

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Spirilla or spirochete (Spiral)

Spirillum volutans

Coccus (Sphere)

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Vibrio (Comma-shaped)

Vibrio cholerae

Based on Gram staining:

The differences between the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria are listed below-

Gram-positive Bacteria

Gram-negative Bacteria

Gram-positive bacteria do not have an outer membrane.

Gram-negative bacteria outer membrane is present.

Gram-positive bacteria appear blue or purple under the microscope.

Gram-negative bacteria appear pink under the microscope.

In Gram-positive bacteria, cell walls are made of multiple layers of molecules, with less lipid and protein.

Gram-negative bacteria are made up of a thinner layer of peptidoglycan. They also have a lipid membrane at the outer region and protect the cell from the surrounding environment. Due to this lipid membrane layer, they are more resistant to antibiotics and other drugs.

The cell wall is the structure surrounding the cell’s membrane

The cell wall protects the bacteria from being killed or any type of damage


In Gram-positive bacteria, the peptidoglycan is 20 to 80 nm (nanometer) thick.

The peptidoglycan layer is only 2 to 3 nm thick in Gram-negative bacteria.

Domains of Bacteria

Archaebacteria and Eubacteria, both prokaryotes are differ in their cell membrane structure, cell wall composition, and environmental preferences. Their difference is listed below-

Archaebacteria

Eubacteria

Simple organisation

More complex in organisation than archaebacteria.

Found in extreme environments.

Found everywhere on Earth.

The cell wall is composed of pseudo-peptidoglycan.

The cell wall is composed of peptidoglycans with muramic acid.

Three types- methanogens, halophiles, and thermophiles

Two types- gram-positive and gram-negative.

Membrane lipids are ether-linked, branched, aliphatic chains, containing D-glycerol phosphate.

Membrane lipids are ester-linked, straight chains of fatty acids, containing L-glycerol phosphate.

Examples- Halobacterium, Thermoproteus, Thermoplasma

Examples- Mycobacteria, Bacillus, Clostridium.

Functions of Bacteria

Bacteria are useful in the following sectors for daily human use, whether in homes, industries, or the food industry. Some of them are mentioned below-

  • Fermentative nature

  • Acid production

  • Antibiotics production

  • Metabolites production

  • Bacteria are used as probiotics

  • Helps in curd formation

  • It is able to degrade complex nutrients

  • It produces vitamins and amino acids.

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Examples of Bacteria

Various types of bacteria are present in the biological community. Following are some examples of bacteria which are commonly found:

  • Escherichia coli

  • Clostridium botulinum

  • Lactobacillus species

  • Actinobacteria

  • Bacillus stearothermophilus

  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis

  • Salmonella typhi

Surviving Conditions of Bacteria

A bacterium which can live in extreme conditions from the human point of view is called an extremophile bacterium. Extreme conditions include High temperature, Low temperature, High pH, Low pH, High pressure, and High salt concentration. Examples of extremophiles are shown in the table below:

Extreme conditions

Bacteria Name

Examples

High temperature

  • Thermophile

  • Thermus aquatics

High pH condition

  • Alkaliphiles

  • Bacillus, Pseudomonas.

Low temperature

  • Psychrophiles

  • Psychroflexus

  • Psychrobacter

Low pH

  • Acidophiles

  • Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

High pressure

  • Piezophiles

  • Halomonas Salaria

High salt concentration

  • Halophiles

  • Salinibacter

Facts about Bacteria

Based on their effect on humans, bacteria are categorised into beneficial bacteria and harmful bacteria. Also, the presence of flagella determines the mobility of bacteria.

  • Beneficial bacteria live on the body surface, and it is also known as the human microbial flora.

  • Pathogenic bacteria can cause diseases in the human body, such as tuberculosis and Syphilis disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Treponema pallidum, respectively.

  • Based on the presence or absence of flagella, Bacteria can be divided into motile bacteria and non-motile bacteria.

MCQs on Archaebacteria and Eubacteria

Q1. Which of the following is likely to be present in deep-sea water?

Option 1: Eubacteria

Option 2: Blue-green algae

Option 3: Saprophytic fungi

Option 4: Archaebacteria

Correct answer: 4) Archaebacteria.

Explanation:

Archaea (archaebacteria) are highly probable to inhabit the deep-sea milieu. They are deemed crucial organisms, particularly thriving under extreme conditions such as in proximity to hydrothermal vents and other similar environments.

Categorisation of Deep-Sea Archaebacteria:

1. Thermophilic Archaebacteria: These organisms flourish in the vicinity of hot hydrothermal vents.
2. Methanogens: Typically, they are discovered in profound oceanic sediments, especially in regions characterized by high methane availability.
3. Halophilic Archaebacteria: Although primarily adapted to hypersaline conditions, certain archaebacteria can also survive in the varying salinities found within deep-sea ecosystems.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) Archaebacteria.

Q2. Recent studies on Archaea suggest that life could have originated

Option 1: extra-terrestrially and seeded through meteorite impacts.

Option 2: in shallow coastal areas.

Option 3: in deep hydrothermal vents.

Option 4: in hot, terrestrial habitats.

Correct answer: 3) in deep hydrothermal vents.

Explanation:

Recent studies on Archaea have indeed provided evidence and support for the hypothesis that life could have originated in deep hydrothermal vents.

Archaea are a group of single-celled microorganisms that constitute one of the three domains of life, alongside Bacteria and Eukarya. They are known to thrive in extreme environments, including hydrothermal vents located deep in the ocean.

Hydrothermal vents are openings in the seafloor that release hot, mineral-rich water due to geothermal activity. These environments provide a unique combination of high temperatures, high pressure, and various chemical gradients, making them potential habitats for the origin of life.

Studies on Archaea, particularly those from deep-sea hydrothermal vents, have revealed several intriguing characteristics. These organisms possess unique metabolic capabilities and can utilise a wide range of energy sources, including hydrogen, sulfur compounds, and methane. They can also convert inorganic compounds into organic molecules through chemosynthesis.

Furthermore, hydrothermal vents contain mineral-rich chimneys composed of metal sulfides, which can serve as catalytic surfaces for chemical reactions and the formation of complex organic molecules. These chimneys could have provided a suitable environment for the emergence of early life forms.

Overall, the research on Archaea and the exploration of hydrothermal vent ecosystems have contributed to the hypothesis that life may have originated in these extreme environments. While further investigation is still needed, these studies have shed light on the potential habitats and processes that could have played a role in the origin of life on Earth.

Hence, the correct answer is option 3) in deep hydrothermal vents.

Q3. Helically coiled bacteria are called

Option 1: Spirilla

Option 2: Cocci

Option 3: Bacilli

Option 4: Vibrio

Correct answer: (1) Spirilla.

Explanation:

Spirilla bacteria are those that resemble spirals. They are coiled and twisted. They may pass through liquids more easily thanks to their structure. Spirilla can be found in soil and water, for example. Like round or rod-shaped bacteria, they are a form of bacterium. They can survive in a variety of settings according to their form.

Hence, the correct answer is Option (1) Spirilla.

Also Read

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the examples of extremophiles?

Thermus aquaticus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Psychroflexus, Psychrobacter, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Halomonas salaria, Salinibacter are the examples of extremophiles.

2. What is the use of bacteria?

For fermentative process, Use in acid production, For antibiotics production, For metabolites production, Probiotics formation, use in curd formation, Use in production of vitamins, amino acid.

3. What is the meaning of fascinating bacteria?

Fascinating bacteria means bacteria possessed unique characteristics, which are not shown by other normal bacteria.

4. Who is the father of biology?

Aristotle is the father of biology.

5. What do you mean by bacteria?

Bacteria are small in size and single cell organisms which are not seen by the naked eye.

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Questions related to

Have a question related to ?

Question : Comprehension:
 Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

Key factors influencing subway air pollution will include station depth, date of construction, type of ventilation (natural/air conditioning), types of brakes (electromagnetic or conventional brake pads) and wheels (rubber or steel) used on the trains, train frequency and more recently the presence or absence of platform screen-door systems. In particular, much subway particulate matter is sourced from moving train parts such as wheels and brake pads, as well as from the steel rails and power-supply materials, making the particles dominantly iron-containing. To date, there is no clear epidemiological indication of abnormal health effects on underground workers and commuters. New York subway workers have been exposed to such air without significant observed impacts on their health, and no increased risk of lung cancer was found among subway train drivers in the Stockholm subway system. But a note of caution is struck by the observations of scholars who found that employees working on the platforms of Stockholm underground, where PM concentrations were greatest, tended to have higher levels of risk markers for cardiovascular disease than ticket sellers and train drivers. The dominantly ferrous particles are mixed with particles from a range of other sources, including rock ballast from the track, biological aerosols such as bacteria and viruses, and air from the outdoors, and driven through the tunnel system on turbulent air currents generated by the trains themselves and ventilation systems.

Question

What is the tone of the speaker?

Option 1: Serious

Option 2: Pessimistic

Option 3: Joyful

Option 4: Informal

Correct Answer: Serious


Solution : The correct option is the first option.

Explanation:
The tone of the speaker is serious as it discusses various factors influencing subway air pollution, particularly focusing on the sources of particulate matter, health risks for subway workers, and the mix of particles within the subway system.

The language used is factual and analytical, examining the potential health impacts without conclusive evidence and citing observations and studies. There's a sense of concern and caution regarding the potential health risks associated with subway air pollution, which contributes to an overall serious tone in the passage.

Therefore, the correct answer is serious.

Question : Comprehension:

Read the following passage and answer the questions.

All foodstuffs change. Green fruits become ripe and eggs go bad or rotten. It is the enzymes naturally present in each food which bring about the complex chemical changes that lead first to ripening and then to rotting.

How does one control the activity of enzymes, bacteria, yeasts and moulds in food? All of them require air, moisture and a certain temperature, usually somewhere near the body temperature, to be active. Depriving them of one or more of these will suppress them. All microorganisms can be killed by heat sterilisation. This simply means heating the food to high enough temperatures by boiling, deep or shallow frying, roasting, baking and, for milk particularly, pasteurisation. After such sterilisation, if the food is sealed in airtight containers, it can be kept for a long time. A certain water content in food is necessary for microorganisms to be active. Drying in the sun is a simple way of bringing down the moisture level so low that the enzymes and microorganisms cannot flourish.

Some chemicals can suppress undesirable activity. The addition of salt, vinegar, spices and oil or sugar syrup are other ways of preventing foods from going bad. If heating kills, freezing inactivates the enzymes and microorganisms. This is what happens in a refrigerator, in which fruits, vegetables and milk can be kept for fairly long periods. For meat and fish, even colder temperatures, below freezing point, are necessary for preservation. All foods which are kept cold in this way, once taken out and returned to room temperature, are again subject to spoilage and change.

Question:
What action does freezing have on the enzymes?

Option 1: It activates them

Option 2: It kills them

Option 3: It preserves them

Option 4: It inactivates them

Correct Answer: It inactivates them


Solution : The fourth option is the correct choice.

The passage in the third paragraph mentions that freezing inactivates the enzymes and microorganisms. This helps to preserve food.

Question : Comprehension:
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

Key factors influencing subway air pollution will include station depth, date of construction, type of ventilation (natural or air conditioning), types of brakes (electromagnetic or conventional brake pads) and wheels (rubber or steel) used on the trains, train frequency, and more recently, the presence or absence of platform screen-door systems.

In particular, much subway particulate matter is sourced from moving train parts such as wheels and brake pads, as well as from the steel rails and power supply materials, making the particles predominantly iron-containing.

To date, there is no clear epidemiological indication of abnormal health effects on underground workers and commuters. New York subway workers have been exposed to such air without significant observed impacts on their health, and no increased risk of lung cancer was found among subway train drivers in the Stockholm subway system.

But a note of caution is struck by the observations of scholars who found that employees working on the platforms of Stockholm underground, where PM concentrations were greatest, tended to have higher levels of risk markers for cardiovascular disease than ticket sellers and train drivers.

The dominantly ferrous particles are mixed with particles from a range of other sources, including rock ballast from the track, biological aerosols such as bacteria and viruses, and air from the outdoors, and driven through the tunnel system on turbulent air currents generated by the trains themselves and ventilation systems.

Question:
Inferring from the passage, what is the most practical way of reducing the health risk of subway life?

Option 1: Generating ventilation systems.

Option 2: Opting for other transportation modes.

Option 3: Wearing face masks during journey.

Option 4: Reducing subway commutation.

Correct Answer: Generating ventilation systems.


Solution : The correct choice is the first option.

The passage mentions factors influencing subway air pollution. It also discusses the observation that employees working on platforms with higher particulate matter concentrations tend to have higher levels of risk markers for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, improving ventilation systems in the subway environment could be a practical measure to reduce the health risks associated with subway life.

Therefore, generating ventilation system is the most practical way of reducing the health risk of subway life.

Question : Comprehension:

Read the following passage and answer the questions.

All foodstuffs change. Green fruits become ripe and eggs go bad or rotten. It is the enzymes naturally present in each food which bring about the complex chemical changes that lead first to ripening and then to rotting.

How does one control the activity of enzymes, bacteria, yeasts and moulds in food? All of them require air, moisture and a certain temperature, usually somewhere near the body temperature, to be active. Depriving them of one or more of these will suppress them. All microorganisms can be killed by heat sterilisation. This simply means heating the food to high enough temperatures by boiling, deep or shallow frying, roasting, baking and, for milk particularly, pasteurisation. After such sterilisation, if the food is sealed in airtight containers, it can be kept for a long time. A certain water content in food is necessary for microorganisms to be active. Drying in the sun is a simple way of bringing down the moisture level so low that the enzymes and microorganisms cannot flourish.

Some chemicals can suppress undesirable activity. The addition of salt, vinegar, spices and oil or sugar syrup are other ways of preventing foods from going bad. If heating kills, freezing inactivates the enzymes and microorganisms. This is what happens in a refrigerator, in which fruits, vegetables and milk can be kept for fairly long periods. For meat and fish, even colder temperatures, below freezing point, are necessary for preservation. All foods which are kept cold in this way, once taken out and returned to room temperature, are again subject to spoilage and change.

Question:
Which of these is NOT required for the growth of bacteria?

Option 1: Air

Option 2: Optimum temperature

Option 3: Chemicals

Option 4: Moisture

Correct Answer: Chemicals


Solution : The third option is the correct choice.

As stated at the start of the second paragraph, bacteria require air, optimum temperature, and moisture to be active. Thus, bacteria do not require chemicals to be active.

Question : Comprehension:

Read the following passage and answer the questions.

All foodstuffs change. Green fruits become ripe and eggs go bad or rotten. It is the enzymes naturally present in each food which bring about the complex chemical changes that lead first to ripening and then to rotting.

How does one control the activity of enzymes, bacteria, yeasts and moulds in food? All of them require air, moisture and a certain temperature, usually somewhere near the body temperature, to be active. Depriving them of one or more of these will suppress them. All microorganisms can be killed by heat sterilisation. This simply means heating the food to high enough temperatures by boiling, deep or shallow frying, roasting, baking and, for milk particularly, pasteurisation. After such sterilisation, if the food is sealed in airtight containers, it can be kept for a long time. A certain water content in food is necessary for microorganisms to be active. Drying in the sun is a simple way of bringing down the moisture level so low that the enzymes and microorganisms cannot flourish.

Some chemicals can suppress undesirable activity. The addition of salt, vinegar, spices and oil or sugar syrup are other ways of preventing foods from going bad. If heating kills, freezing inactivates the enzymes and microorganisms. This is what happens in a refrigerator, in which fruits, vegetables and milk can be kept for fairly long periods. For meat and fish, even colder temperatures, below freezing point, are necessary for preservation. All foods which are kept cold in this way, once taken out and returned to room temperature, are again subject to spoilage and change.

Question:
The main theme of the passage is:

Option 1: Chemicals in foodstuff

Option 2: Ripening of fruit

Option 3: Production of micro-organisms

Option 4: Preservation of food

Correct Answer: Preservation of food


Solution : The fourth option is correct.

The given passage initially talks about the changes that take place in food articles over time. Then we are introduced to some methods to check the growth of various microorganisms inside food items. And finally, some chemicals, such as salt and vinegar, are also mentioned that help in the preservation of foods. It can be concluded that the primary theme of the passage is the preservation of food.

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