Balloon Bugs

Make your own balloon bacterium

What are bacteria?

Bacteria are living organisms. They are so small you need a microscope to see them. They come in different shapes and sizes. They can be found everywhere!

How big are bacteria?

Bacteria are tiny! Millions can fit on a single pin head.

Images: Genome Research Limited

What shape are bacteria?

There are three main shapes of bacteria:

Balls (Cocci)
e.g. Staphylococcus sp.

Rods (Bacilli)
e.g. Citrobacter sp.

Spirals (Spirochetes)
e.g. Campylobacter sp.

Images: Sharon Peacock, Oxford University; David Goulding, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute; De Wood, Pooley, USDA, ARS, EMU

How do bacteria move?

Some bacteria have special structures that help them move. These are called flagella.
flagella

flagellum

Images: David Goulding, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute; De Wood, Pooley, USDA, ARS, EMU

Some bacteria can make us feel ill

Streptococcus pneumoniae
Causes a sore throat and pneumonia

Salmonella Typhimurium
Causes food poisoning

Campylobacter jejuni
Causes food poisoning

Images: Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NID; David Goulding, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute; De Wood, Pooley, USDA, ARS, EMU

Are there good bacteria?

Not all bacteria are harmful. There are some bacteria that are used in producing cheese and yogurt. This is called Lactobacillus.
Images: Genome Research Limited

Can you make a balloon bacterium?

Choose from the three bacteria below

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Salmonella Typhimurium

Campylobacter jejuni

Images: Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NID; David Goulding, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute; B Wren, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine