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Bacteria are one of the five kingdoms of Whittaker which are microscopic, unicellular and have primitive types of nucleus. They help in decomposition of organic materials and fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. Bacterias are known as prokaryotic cells which have a lot of abundance in the environment. A gram of soil typically contains about 40 million bacterial cells. A milliliter of fresh water usually holds about one million bacterial cells. Bacteria also have a wide range of habitats. They can belong in extreme conditions like high temperature, low pH to normal conditions. Some of them are beneficial and others might be harmful as well. Based on usage of oxygen, bacteria are known as aerobic and anaerobic.
Aerobic Bacteria:
Bacteria which are dependent on an oxygenated environment are known as aerobic bacteria. These bacteria have the capability to detoxify oxygen because of the presence of certain enzymes. In this case, the final electron acceptor is the oxygen. The equation of oxidation of glucose by aerobic bacteria is-
C6H12O6 + 6 O2 + 38 ADP + 38 phosphate → 6 CO2 + 44 H2O + 38 ATP
Types of aerobic bacteria:
Obligate aerobes: These bacteria require oxygen for their growth and development. These organisms use oxygen for oxidation of glucose in cellular respiration.
Facultative aerobes: These bacteria require oxygen only when it is available and use anaerobic methods for energy production if oxygen is absent.
Example-:
Lactobacillus, Nocardia, and other bacteria .
Anaerobic Bacteria:
Bacteria which do not need oxygen for growth are known as anaerobic bacteria. The final electron acceptor in this case is carbon dioxide, fumarate, sulphur or ferric. These bacteria use fermentation. The equation of fermentation by anaerobic bacteria-
C6H12O6 + 2 ADP + 2 phosphate → 2 lactic acid + 2 ATP + 2 H2O
Examples-:Bacteroides, Clostridium, and other bacteria.
Similarities between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria:
Both have primitive type of cells, primitive type of nucleus known as nucleoid in the cell.
Both lack membrane bound cell organelle.
Both are single- celled and are microscopic.
Both have a wide range of nutrition and habitat.
Both have cell walls in their cell and capsules surrounding the cell of bacteria which provide them support and protection.
Difference between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria:
Conclusion:
Bacteria are known as prokaryotic cells which have a lot of abundance in the environment. A gram of soil typically contains about 40 million bacterial cells. A milliliter of fresh water usually holds about one million bacterial cells. Bacteria also have a wide range of habitats. They can belong in extreme conditions like high temperature, low pH to normal conditions. Bacteria refer to microorganisms which require presence of oxygen. A microorganism that does not need oxygen in their life cycle is known as anaerobic bacteria. Both have beneficial and harmful effects on human beings.
