B6 - Beyond the Microscope Flashcards
Why do bacteria have a strand of DNA and what other form can some cells have?
Control cells activities and replication. Some also have several small loops - plasmids.
What do bacterium have to help them move?
Flagellum
What 4 shapes do bacterium come in?
Rods, curved rods, spheres and spirals
What can bacterium consume?
Huge range of organic nutrients from surroundings
What does the nutrients that bacteria absorb used for?
Providing energy
What can some types of bacteria produce?
Their own energy
Why do bacterial cells have cell walls?
Help them keep shape and stop them bursting.
How do bacteria reproduce?
Asexual reproduction - clones of each other
What process do bacteria reproduce by?
Binary fission
How fast do bacteria reproduce?
Very quickly
When does bacteria produce faster?
When it’s warm and a good source of nutrients
How can bacteria be cultured?
On agar plate. Bacteria transferred using wire inoculation loop on to plate from sample.
What technique is important in culturing bacteria?
Aseptic - to protect from infection and prevent contamination
What does aseptic techniques involve?
Wear gloves, tie long hair back.
Sterilise equipment by passing inoculation loop through flame before and after.
Seal dish once bacteria is transferred.
Dispose safely after use - usually done by pressure sterilising in autoclave.
How is bacteria safely disposed of?
Usually by pressure sterilising in an autoclave
