Science WebQuests
Archaebacteria
Grouped into 2 kingdoms --- Eubacteria (true bacteria) & Archaebacteria (ancient bacteria).
Archaebacteria can be found in harsh environments such as undersea volcanic vents, acidic hot springs, or salty water.
Three Main Groups of Archaebacteria
Methanogens
-
Live in anaerobic environments (no oxygen)
-
Obtain energy by changing H2 and CO2 gas into methane gas
-
Found in swamps, marshes, sewage treatment plants, digestive tracts of animals
-
Produce marsh gas or intestinal gas (methane)
Extreme Halophiles
-
Live in very salty water
-
Found in the Dead Sea, Great Salt Lake, etc.
-
Use salt to help generate ATP (energy)
Thermophiles
-
Live in extremely hot (1100C) and acidic (pH 2) water
-
Found in hot springs in Yellowstone National Park, in volcanic vents on land, & in cracks on the ocean floor that leak scalding acidic water
Eubacteria
Most bacteria on Earth are in this kingdom.
-
Come in 3 basic shapes ---
-
cocci (spheres)
-
bacilli (rod shaped)
-
spirilla (corkscrew shape)
-
Bacteria can occur in:
-
pairs called diplo: such as diplo-bacilli or diplo-cocci
-
chains are called strepto: such as strepto-bacilli or strepto-cocci
-
grapelike clusters called staphylo: such as staphylo-cocci
Most Eubacteria are heterotrophic (cannot make their own food)
Eubacteria can be aerobic (require oxygen) or anaerobic (don’t need oxygen)