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 “gram-
staining.”
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 Have extra layer of lipid outside cell
Bacteria 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 *
ARCHAEBACTERIA EUBACTERIA
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Gram-positive:
Methanogens:
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Gram-negative:
Thermoacidophiles:
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Chemosynthesizers: Cyanobacteria:
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Extreme Halophiles:
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