PRACTICAL 3 : EUBACTERIA

INTRODUCTION :

Bacteria, including cyanobacteria are the simplest of organisms. Their cells are
prokaryotic and lack the organelles found in eukaryotic cells. For example, while prokaryotes
do contain DNA, they have no defined nucleus or chloroplast. Reproduction is primarily
asexual by fission.

Bacteria exist in three shapes; coccus (spherical), bacillus (rods) and spirillium
(spiral).In addition to being differentiated by shape, bacteria can be separated according to
how they react to Gram staining. Gram-positive bacteria are purple after being stained, while
Gram-negative bacteria appear pink after Gram stain reaction.

OBJECTIVES :

To describe different shapes of eubacteria.

To distinguish between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
To describe the differences between eubacteria and cyanobacteria.

3.1 EUBACTERIA

3.1.1 Different bacterial shapes and Gram staining.

MATERIALS :

Slides of Escherichia coli

Slides of Bacillus substilis

PROCEDURES :

1. The demonstration slides given were examined. The three basic bacterial shapes were
drawn.
2. The colour of the Gram stained bacteria was observed. The different types of Gram-
stained bacteria were drawn and differentiated by using colours.
 3.2 CYANOBACTERIA (BLUE ALGAE)

3.2.1 Anabaena

MATERIALS :

Slides of Anabaena
Compound microscope

PROCEDURE :

1. The Anabaena slide was observe under the microscope

2. The cells were observe under higher magnification.

DISCUSSION :

Eubacteria is true bacteria which is also unicellular of prokaryotic cells. Based on the
experiment, the most common shape of eubacteria which is spherical, rod shaped and spiral.
Based on the observation made on slide of Escherichia coli, we can clearly see that the cell is
rod shaped cells. Escherichia coli is a bacteria which lives in the digestive track of humans
and other mammals. For Bacillus substilis it has rod shape.

By using Gram stain technique, the scientist can categorize many bacterial species
according to differences in cell wall composition. The sample are stained with crystal violet
dye and iodine. Then rinsed with alcohol, and lastly stained with a red dye. Gram positive
bacteria which is Bacillus substilis appear in colour of purple and have simpler walls with a
relatively large amount of peptidoglycan. Under microscope with 400 magnification, we can
see cytoplasm and plasma membrane of the cell. Gram negative bacteria which is Escherichia
coli appear in colour of pink and have less peptidoglycan with more complex structure.
Under microscope we can observe endospores and capsule of the cell. The outer membrane
of gram negative bacteria contain lipopolysaccharides which is carbohydrate bonded with
lipids.

CONCLUSION :

As the conclusion, we are able to describe different shapes of bacteria which is

spherical, rod shaped and spiral. The differences between Gram positive and negative
bacteria also can be distinguish by doing this experiment which is Gram positive bacteria will
form purple in colour while Gram negative will form pink in colour.
POST LAB QUESTIONS :

I. How are Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria different in terms of cell wall
composition and resistance to antibiotics?

Gram positive bacteria have a thick wall made of peptidoglycan. Gram negative
bacteria have thin layer of peptidoglycan which is located between the plasma
membrane and outer space. Gram negative bacteria tend to be more resistant toward
antibiotic than gram positive bacteria because the outer membrane impedes the entry
of drugs.

II. What is the function of heterocyst and which type of symbiosis explains association
between Anabaena and the water fern Azolla?

Heterocyst is the cell that carry out only nitrogen fixation under aerobic condition and
formed in response of lack fixed nitrogen. The type of symbiosis is mutualism which
give benefits to both.

III. The water fern Azolla may be found in abundance in paddy fields. Explain why Azolla
is considered a natural fertilizer.

Azolla can considered as natural fertilizer because it contain high nitrogen which is
the most essential element needed by plant for its growth. Few plants are able to
assimilate nitrogen from the atmosphere but most of the plant get their nitrogen from
soil.

REFERENCES:

Karp C Gerald, Cell Biology, 2007, Wiley, Singapore

Campbell Neil A, Campbell, 2014 Biology 10th edition, 2014, Pearson, England
Larson Allan,Animal Diversity,2009, Mc Graw Hill, New York
http://www.diffen.com/difference/Gram-negative_Bacteria_vs_Gram-
positive_Bacteria
https://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/anabaena_azollae