Kingdom Monera

1. Kingdom Monera

2. Characteristics • Most numerous and widespread organisms on Earth. • Includes the smallest and simplest life-forms • Unicellular • Single-celled • Live in chains of clusters • Only Kingdom made of prokaryotic organisms • Have no nucleus

3. 3 Basic Classifications of Bacteria • Archaebacteria • Eubacteria • Mycoplasmas

4. Archaebacteria • Bacteria that survive best in extreme environments. • Examples: hot springs, deep sea vents, boiling muds • Includes methane-forming, salt loving and heat loving bacteria. Morning Glory Pool: Yellowstone National Park The coloring comes from the massive amount of archaebacteria (which are chemo-synthesizers) and can withstand extreme temperatures.Thermoacidophilic bacteria can only live in water which is very hot (70 - 75° C) and as acidic as concentrated sulphuric acid. They are found in hot springs.

5. Eubacteria • Known as the true bacteria • Found in numerous environments such as the surface of human skin, the intestines of an animal, on a log, etc. • Often identified with the Gram Stain Method • Gram Negative- cannot retain stain when tested • Gram Positive- stain dark blue or violet

6. 2 Major Groups in Kingdom True Bacteria • Bacteria and Cyanobacteria

7. Characteristics of True Bacteria • Absorb food molecules from their surroundings • Rely on other organisms to provide them with food. • Decompose other living things to gain energy • Due to this they are often called Decomposers • Can be beneficial to humans • Example: In the intestines, bacteria help digest food properly.

8. Cyanobacteria • Live in fresh water • Contain chlorophyll and produce their own food • Different shapes and attach to each other in long chains or clusters. • Example Cyanobacteria: smelly, green scum found on the top of the pond.

9. Mycoplasmas • Smallest living cells ever discovered

10. Three Basic Shapes of Bacteria • Cocci • Round • Responsible for strep throat • Bacilli • Rod-Shaped • Responsible for tooth decay and anthrax • Spirilli • Spiral-shaped • Easiest to identify

11. Movement of Bacteria • Bacteria moves in numerous ways • Squirming, gliding, and propulsion • Movement caused by flagella • Flagella move (rotate) to propel the bacteria • Like a motor boat

12. Relationship with Humans • Cause disease, food spoilage, food poisoning, agricultural damage, pollution…. • Can bacteria be helpful to humans? • Bacteria is used to produce dairy products, vinegars, chemicals and probably most importantly antibiotics. • Decompose dead matter and put nitrogen back in the soil, which is necessary for the health of plants. • What would happen if all monerans (bacteria) were eliminated? • Plant and animal life would soon die • Monerans directly and indirectly influence all survival on Earth.