This document discusses the morphology, classification, and environmental requirements of bacteria. It describes the typical sizes and shapes of bacteria, including cocci, bacilli, vibrios, spirilla, and spirochetes. It also explains how bacteria can be arranged in pairs, chains, clusters, or other groupings. Additionally, it classifies bacteria based on their temperature and oxygen requirements, such as mesophiles, psychrophiles, thermophiles, hyperthermophiles, aerobes, anaerobes, and microaerophiles. Enzymes like catalase and superoxide dismutase that help bacteria detoxify harmful oxygen byproducts are also mentioned.

1. Bacteria- Morphology and
Classification
Mr. MAN BAHADUR RANA
ACAS,BPH, Microbiology

2. 07.09.08 Dr Ekta Chourasia
Size of Bacteria
• Unit of measurement in bacteriology is the
micron (micrometre, µm)
• Bacteria of medical importance
– 0.2 – 1.5 µm in diameter
– 3 – 5 µm in length

3. 07.09.08 Dr Ekta Chourasia
Shape of Bacteria
• Cocci – spherical/ oval shaped major groups
• Bacilli – rod shaped
• Vibrios – comma shaped
• Spirilla – rigid spiral forms
• Spirochetes – flexible spiral forms
• Actinomycetes – branching filamentous
bacteria
• Mycoplasmas – lack cell wall

4. 07.09.08 Dr Ekta Chourasia
Arrangement of bacteria: Cocci
Cocci in pair – Diplococcus
Sarcina – groups of eight
Tetrad – groups of four
Cocci in chain - Streptococci
Cocci in cluster - Staphylococci
Coccus

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Arrangement of bacteria: Bacilli

6. 07.09.08 Dr Ekta Chourasia
Other shapes of bacteria
Comma shaped
Spirochetes
Spirilla

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Temperature
• Minimum Temperature: Temperature below which
growth ceases, or lowest temperature at which
microbes will grow.
• Optimum Temperature: Temperature at which its
growth rate is the fastest.
• Maximum Temperature: Temperature above which
growth ceases, or highest temperature at which
microbes will grow.

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Classification of Microorganisms by Temperature
Requirements

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Temperature Classes of Organisms
• Mesophiles ( 20 – 45C)
– Midrange temperature optima
– Found in warm-blooded animals and in terrestrial and
aquatic environments in temperate and tropical latitudes
• Psychrophiles ( 0-20C)
– Cold temperature optima
– Most extreme representatives inhabit permanently cold
environments
• Thermophiles ( 50- 80C)
– Growth temperature optima between 45ºC and 80ºC
• Hyperthermophiles
– Optima greater than 80°C
– These organisms inhabit hot environments including boiling
hot springs, as well as undersea hydrothermal vents that can
have temperatures in excess of 100ºC

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Classification of organisms based on O2 utilization
• Utilization of O2 during metabolism yields toxic
by-products including O2
-, singlet oxygen (1O2)
and/or H2O2.
• Toxic O2 products can be converted to harmless
substances if the organism has catalase (or
peroxidase) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)
• SOD converts O2
- into H2O2 and O2
• Catalase breaks down H2O2 into H2O and O2
• Any organism that can live in or requires O2 has
SOD and catalase (peroxidase)

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Classification of organisms based on O2 utilization
• Obligate (strict) aerobes require O2 in order to grow
• Obligate (strict) anaerobes cannot survive in O2
• Facultative anaerobes grow better in O2
• Aerotolerant organisms don’t care about O2
• Microaerophiles require low levels of O2

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Oxygen and Microbial Growth
• Aerobes :
– Obligate : require oxygen to grow
– Facultative : can live with or without oxygen but
grow better with oxygen
– Microaerphiles : require reduced level of oxygen
• Anaerobes :
– Aerotolerant anaerobes : can tolerate oxygen but
grow better without oxygen.
– Obligate : do not require oxygen. Obligate
anaerobes are killed by oxygen

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Test for Oxygen Requirements of
Microorganisms
Thioglycolate broth :
contains a reducing
agent and provides
aerobic and anaerobic
conditions
a) Aerobic
b) Anaerobic
c) Facultative
d) Microaerophil
e) Aerotolerant

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Toxic Forms of Oxygen and Detoxifying Enzymes
Hydrogen
peroxide
Superoxide