This document discusses bacteria and their characteristics. It aims to explain how bacteria can be both helpful and harmful, and to identify the three shapes of bacteria. Bacteria are single-celled prokaryotes that reproduce through binary fission. There are two kingdoms of bacteria: Archaebacteria, which are ancient and live in extreme environments; and Eubacteria, which are the most common and live almost everywhere. The three shapes of bacteria are: spiral-shaped spirilla, rod-shaped bacilli, and round cocci.