KINGDOM MONERA

Chpt. 18

Bacteria

Kingdom Monera
Commonly called bacteria
All monerans are unicellular
All monerans are prokaryotes
Prokaryotes: Single-celled organisms
surrounded by a membrane and cell wall
that LACK membrane bound organelles

Prokaryote Cell

Characteristics of Monera
Monera can be divided into two main
groups:
1) Archaebacteria
- ancient bacteria
- live in extremely harsh conditions

2) Eubacteria
- true bacteria

Archaebacteria (ancient)

Can be divided into 4 groups:

1. Methanogens methane producers

2. Thermoacidophiles heat and acid lovers

3. Chemosynthesizers make own chemicals
4. Extreme Halophiles salt lovers

Methanogens
Produce methane
Live where there is
no oxygen
Found in intestines
of many mammals
Found in swamps
causes the rotten
egg smell

Thermoacidophiles
Live in extremely
hot and acidic
waters
Often found in hot
springs
Ex. Yellowstone
National Park

Chemosynthesizers
Use inorganic compounds as
source of energy (instead of
sun)
Inorganic = compounds
containing sulfur, iron,
nitrogen (not carbon!)
Process called oxidation
Use energy to change carbon
dioxide into organic food
molecules
Live in harsh environments
(e.g. hot sulfur vents on ocean
floor)

Extreme Halophiles
salt loving
Live in water up
to ten times saltier than
sea water

Found in places like

the Dead Sea

ARCHAEBACTERIA
Methanogens

Live in oxygen free environments,

produce methane (CH4).

Thermoacidophiles

Live in water than is very hot and acidic

(pH 2 to 4), line the edges of hot springs

Chemosynthesizers

Make carbohydrates using inorganic

compounds as energy source, live in hot
sulfur vents on ocean floor

Extreme Halophiles

Live in extremely salty places, grow in

water up to ten times saltier than the
ocean

Eubacteria
Divided into three groups:
1. Gram-positive Bacteria
2. Gram-negative Bacteria
3. Cyanobacteria

Gram-positive
Have thick cells walls.
Turn purple when put
through a special series
of stains called gramstaining.
Includes a wide variety
of bacteria such as those
causing strep throat and
tetanus (lockjaw).

Gram-negative
Have an extra layer
of fat outside cell
wall.
Appear pink after
gram-staining.
Includes bacteria
such as E.coli and
the bacteria that
causes whooping
cough.

Gram-positive vs. negative

Cyanobacteria
Perform plant-like
photosynthesis.
Release oxygen.
Used to be called
blue-green algae
(still commonly
called that!).
Toxic to animals.

EUBACTERIA
Gram-positive Bacteria Have thick walls made of protein-sugar
complex, turn purple when stained

Gram-negative
Bacteria

Have extra layer of lipid outside cell

wall and turn pink after staining

Cyanobacteria

Gram-negative monerans that perform

photosynthesis (like plants) and release
oxygen

Classifying Bacteria
3 main shapes:
1. Bacilli
(rod-shaped)
2. Cocci
(sphere-shaped)
3. Spirilla
(corkscrew-shaped)

Why learn about Bacteria?

Some cause serious diseases:
Pneumonia, tuberculosis, lyme disease,
bubonic plague, food-borne illnesses

Most are beneficial

Intestinal bacteria (digest food and make
vitamins)
Break down dead organisms (decomposers)
Industry: make cheese, yogurt, antibiotics

KINGDOM MONERA

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EUBACTERIA

ARCHAEBACTERIA
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Methanogens:

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Thermoacidophiles:

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Chemosynthesizers:

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Extreme Halophiles:

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Gram-positive:

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Gram-negative:

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Cyanobacteria:

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