Topic V: Characterization and

Classification of
Prokaryotes 2. Reproduction of Prokaryotes
A. General Characteristics of Prokaryotic
Organism
- All prokaryotes reproduce asexually; none reproduce
sexually.
- The most common method is Binary Fission.
1. Morphology of Prokaryotic Cells
- Binary Fission: (1) Cell replicates its DNA, (2) The
Basic Shapes: cytoplasmic membrane elongates separating DNA
molecules, (3) Cross-wall forms: membrane
o Cocci- are not perfectly spherical (roughly spherical, invaginates, (4) Cross-wall forms completely, (5)
pointed kidney-shaped and oval. Daughter cells separate.
o Bacilli- rod-shaped, also very in shapes. (pointed,
spindle-shaped, thread-like, filamentous)
o Spiral- are either spirilla (stiff) or spirochetes Variation of Binary Fission:
(flexible) 1. Snapping Division – only the inner version of the cell
wall is deposited across the dividing cell and the
thickening of this new transverse wall puts a tension
on the outer layer of the old cell wall, which still
holds the two cells together. Eventually, as the
tension increases, the outer cell will break at its
weakest point with snapping movement that tear it
most all the way around.

Example: Clostridium diphtheria – V-shaped, and

side by side arrangement called palisade.

Other Methods of Reproduction

A. Actinomycetes – produce spores at the end of the

filamentous cells.
B. Fragmentation – breaking into smaller motile
filaments that glide away from the parental strand.
C. Budding – an outgrowth of the original cell (a bud)
receives a copy of the genetic material and enlarges.

3. Arrangements of Prokaryotic Cell

Figure: Forms of true bacteria. A. Single cocci B.
Staphylococci, C.Diplecocci, D. Streptococci, E.Tetrads,
F.Sarcinae, G. Varioud forms of basilli, H. Streptobacilli, I.
Various form of spirilla. J. Involution forms
Other shapes:
o Vibrios – slightly curved
o Coccobacilli – intermediate between cocci and bacilli
o Star-shaped
o Triangular
o Square – “saltbox”
o Pleomorphic – vary in shape and size
- Result from 2 aspects of division during binary
fission.
a. The planes in which the cells divide
b. Whether or not daughter cells separate completely or
remain attach to each other.
I. Streptococci – long chains of cocci
II. Tetrads – cocci that divides in two planes and remain
attached.
III. Staphylococci – form when the planes of cell
division are random; clusters which looks like
bunches of grapes.
IV. Sarcinae – divide in 3 planes to form cuboidal
packets.
Bacilli are less varied in their arrangements than cocci because [RECAP]
bacilli will divide transversely- that is, perpendicular to the
long axis. B. Modern Prokaryotic Classification
- based on similarities of rRNA sequences (Bergey’s Manual)

4. Endospores C. Survey of Archaea

Common feature of archaea that distinguishes them from
bacteria:
- “spores” but not reproductive spores: a defensive
strategy against hostile environment extremely a. Lack of peptidoglycan in their cell wall
resistant to drying, heat, radiation, and lethal b. Their cell membrane lipids have branched
chemicals in the process of endospore formation is hydrocarbon chains.
called sporulation – which requires 8-10 hrs. and c. The initial amino acid in their polypeptide chain,
proceeds in 7 steps. coded by the AUG start codon, is methionine (as in
- Factors that serve to stabilized DNA and proteins. eukaryotes and in contrast to the N-formyl
Protecting from adverse conditions: (a) double methionine used by bacteria.)
membrane, (b) dipicolinic acid, (3) calcium, (4) DNA
ARCHAEA
Binding proteins. (5) spore coats.
- *END OF A. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS* 2 Phyla Based On rRNA Sequences
a. Crenarchaeota
b. Euryachaeota

1. Extremophiles – microbes that require extreme

conditions of temp, Ph, or salinity to survive.
a) Thermophiles – live at temperature over 45^C;
hyperthermophiles live over 80 degrees C moostly
crenarchaeota.
i) 3 genera:
(1) Acidanus – sulfur-rich, acidic hot springs
(2) Pyrodictium – deep sea hydrothermal vents
(3) Sulfolobus – pleomorphic

[The reason why it is not considered as a reproductive process, Genus Morpholog Opt. Opt. Ph O2
is because it starts from a single cell and ends with only a y Temp requiremen
single cell.] t
Sulfolobus Lobed 75 deg C 2.5 Obligate
CLASSIFICATION OF PROKARYOTES coccus aerobe
Acidanus Coccus 88 deg C 2 Facultative
anaerobe
Purodictiu Disk- 105 deg 6 Anaerobe
m shaped with C
filaments
b. Halophiles – inhabits extremely saline habitats (absolute
dependence on >9.5% NaCl to maintain cell wall integrity;
optimum: 17-23; 35% NaCl) mostly euryacheaota

2. Phototrophic Bacteria – absorbs light (photosynthetic

lamellae) thylakoids.

FAMILIARIZE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF

BACTERIA

Bacillus polymyxa – the bacteria that produces the

soil/ground smell when it rains.

2. Methanogens – obligate anaerobes; largest group, mostly

mesophilic; a few thermophilic. (Example: Methanobacterium
lives in colon of animals)

BACTERIA
D. SURVEY OF BACTERIA
- Based on the differences in their 16 rRNA sequences.

1. Deeply Branching Bacteria – live in habitat similar

during early earth (Aquifex); Deinococcus (P.
Deinococcus- Thermus – extremely resistant to radiation;
found in radioactive wastes)
 Photo above is of Bdelovibrio

Caulobacter – bacteria that causes plant gall (tumor-looking)

in trees.

Neisseria – agent for gonorrhea. A diple cocci

Photo above is of myxospores

Pseudomonas – bacteria found in dirty water. Which can

cause infection.
Desulfovibrio – bacteria that are bio-illuminiscent. They
emit light.