CLASSIFICATION OF MICROBES

Neeraj Env Engg. I yr29 Oct 2015

Prokaryotes & EukaryotesEtymology

Prokaryotes Eukaryotebacteria Fungi,protozoa,pla

nts,animalsLoose strands of DNA

Arranged & organised

No membrane organelles

Several

No definite membrane bound nucleus

Complex

TypesBacteriaVirusFungiProtistaArchaea

BacteriaSingle celled prokaryoteFound in various shapes and sizesMycoplasma - Smallest bacteria with rigid cell

wallCauses infectious diseases like typhoid,

dysentry, waterborne gastroentritis, etc

Coccus (Spherical)

Streptococcus

pneumonia

Found in chains, pairs and irregular groups

E. coli

Bacillus (rod)

tuberculosis

whooping cough

peptic ulcers

: Seen as chains, branched, etc

Spirilus (Spiral)

VibrioSmall slightly curved rods measuring 3-4 microns

VirusMost abundant biological entityCan infect all life forms including microbesClassified according to infected hostAcellular and nanometre in sizeContain RNA or DNARequire a host cell for sustenanceCauses jaundice, fever, etc.

ProtozoaEukaryotesUsually single cellsMajority aerobicOften consume bacteria and PMCauses diarrhea and intestinal problemsEg: Entamoeba histolytica cysts present in

raw waste water

Algae Unicellular or multicellular autotropic

eukaryotesPhytoplanktons responsible for 40% of all

photosynthetic output.Very vital to water ecology.Eg: green algae cyanobacteria

Fungi Multicellular, nonphotosynthetic and

saprophytic microbesCan grow under low moisture, low pH

conditions as well.Can degrade cellulose and are useful in

sludge treatment processes.

ArchaeaSimilar to bacteria in size and basic cell

componentsDiffer in RNA compostion, cell wall and cell

materialImportant in anaerobic processes and

extreme conditions of temperature and pressure

Found in soils, marshes, skin, oral cavity,etcHelps in biogeochemical cycles

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