Chapter 2: Bacteria Notes: |
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Unicellular Organisms:
Here is a microscopic view of pond water. This is similar to what Anton van Leeuwenhoek saw when he examined pond water under a microscope. What type of unicellular organisms can you see here?
Bacteria!!!
Parts of a Bacterial Cell Below is a diagram that shows the different parts of a bacterial cell. How is this similar to our (animal) cells? How is this similar to plant cells?
The two ways bacteria can reproduce:
The first way they can reproduce is through binary fission.
Asexual Reproduction and Sexual Reproduction
Binary fission is an example of asexual reproduction, which is a type of reproduction in which there is only one parent, and the offspring are exactly the same as the parent. The offspring have the exact same genetic information (DNA) as the parent. Here is a cartoon showing binnary fission:
The second way bacteria can reproduce is through conjugation. This is a method of reproduction in which one bacterium transfers some of its genetic material into another bacterial cell.
This is an example of sexual reproduction, where there are two parents and the offspring has a new combination of genetic material (DNA) that are genetically different from their parents.
This is an example of sexual reproduction, where there are two parents and the offspring has a new combination of genetic material (DNA) that are genetically different from their parents.