Bacterial Structure & Reproduction

Question 1

Outline what bacteria is.

Answer 1

Prokaryotes - lacking a nucleus; single chromosome.

Question 2

How may they enter the body and cause disease?

Answer 2

Producing harmful toxins, changing the hosts’ metabolism, damaging tissues, affecting the nervous system (vision, paralysis, death).

Question 3

Outline the phase for reproduction/replication.

Answer 3

Binary Fission - asexual reproduction; prokaryotic cell divides into two identical daughter cells.
Limited variation (reliant on mutation) - however, multiplying fast; mutation rate is higher.

Question 4

What are the stages for Binary Fission?

Answer 4

1) Single chromosome is tightly coiled.
2) Genetic material in the chromosome/plasmid replicates & separates.
3) Original & Replicate chromosome attach the cell membrane; pulled to separate poles as the cell elongates.
4) New cell wall grows - cell membrane develops a cleavage burrow.
5) New cell wall fully develops.
6) The two separate - identical daughter cells.
7) Repeat process.