Types/Shapes of Bacteria

Although there are many types of bacteria known to man, here are 3 common shapes of bacteria to show you the basics of how the bacteria can combine to make different shapes, and even make different illnesses using the same bacteria.

1. Spirillum - The Spiral Shaped bacteria (The one on the left)

2. Bacillus - The Rod Shaped Bacteria (The one in the middle)

3. Coccus - The Spherical Shaped Bacteria (The one on the right)

This little bacteria also known as a Spirillum Bacteria is different from the other 2 bacterias. Unlike them, they cannot combine together to form clusters are chains. Instead they are found seperately.

Note: 

• Bacteria found in chains have the prefix "Strepto" in front of the shape of bacteria. 
• Bacteria found in clusters have the prefix "Staphlo" in front of the shape of bacteria.

For example:

                     This is a Streptobacillus Bacteria

                       This is a Streptococcus Bacteria

                    This is a Staphlobacillus Bacteria

                       This is a Staphlococcus Bacteria


Now that you know some types/shapes of bacteria, here is a labelled diagram of a Typical Bacterium:

A - Plasma Membrane: The outermost layer of the cytoplasm and internal to the cell wall, constructed of protein globules, and transport material into/out of the cell. Similar to the Mitochondria found in Eukaryotic Cells.

B - Cell Wall:Made up of complex organic acids, it provides a rigid framework for the organism and helps determine it's shape.

C - Capsule: The storehouse for nutrients, a depot for cellular waste products ,and a shield of protection against dehydration and the environment.

D - Genetic Material: Material that contains the information for cellular growth.

E - Cytoplasm: Made up of proteins, carbohydrates, organic/inorganic substances, it is the site of bacterial growth, metabolic reactions, and also reproduction.

F - Pili: Pili help anchor the bacteria o the surface, and can assist in the transfer between genetic material between cells (Conjugation).

G - Ribosomes: Composed of RNA and Proteins, they are places where photosynthesis occurs and where amino-acids are bound together by enzymes in a certain sequence that fives each protein it's functional character.

H - Endospore: Helps the bacterium survive in harsh conditions.

I - Flagellum: Composed of thin fibres made of protein, it is what allows the bacterium to move forward in a proper-like motion.

Bacterial Growth - Experiment #1

For our first Bacterial Growth Experiment, our class decided to test out which objects/places contained the most bacteria. Once we received our Agar Plate, we had to divide it into 4 quadrants, each which would soon represent 4 separate swabs of bacteria from different places. Now with everything set up we were now able to swab some bacteria! With the use of a Q-tip my partner and I (Cathy) swabbed 4 things and put them into one of our quadrants;

• Quadrant 1: Combination Lock
• Quadrant 2: Main Stairway Railing
• Quadrant 3: Typical Ipod Screen
• Quadrant 4: A Basketball

Now here is what happened to our bacteria after a couple of days in the Incubator:

                                      Front View

                                      Back View

Can you tell the difference between the bacteria in the quadrants? I sure can't! My hypothesis for the reason of being able to see only 1 type of bacteria is that the bacteria is probably very common around the school or maybe 1 quadrant of bacteria took over the other 3! Realizing this now, in the future I plan on separating the bacteria swabs in separate Agar Plates if possible.

A Close Up of a Bacteria

Did you ever wonder what Bacteria even looks like? Or if bacteria all had one similar shape? Well, look no further! I just happen to have a picture of a Bacteria (taken by me) right here for you!

It is not what you expected right? Well this is a type of bacteria in the shape of a Coccus (Circular shape). There are many different shapes and sizes in the world but sadly I only happen to have this specific type.

Shape: Coccus (Circuar shape)

Other Shapes: 

• Bacilli: Rod-Shaped Bacteria
• Spirilli: Bacteria with curved walls

Mid-Term Reflection

Reflection:

1. So far in Biology, I am proud of all my work because not only did I work really hard on my projects but I also received great marks for what I did. But if I had to pick my top 3, I would say it would have to be my Evolution Video, my blog post based on Glass Frogs, and my other blog post based on the Small Pox Epidemic in Boston.

Evolution Video: I am very proud of my Evolution Video that I completed with Shanvir, because even though at first I didn't have any experience making/editing a video, I quickly learned how and produced a product that I am truly proud of. Although it took me over 3 hours to complete, I'd say it was a Job Well Done!

Glass Frog Blog: This is another amazing piece that I am proud of because instead of researching information that I have been assigned to do (like in other classes) I was able to research on stuff I was actually interested about. And not only did I learn something that interested me, I was able to learn about how Frogs have been able to adapt specifically to their environment which taught me about Evolution and Natural Selection in a way where no worksheet could do so.

Small Pox Epidemic Blog: Last but not least I am proud of my recent Blog based on the Small Pox Epidemic in Boston 1721 because while I was researching about it, I felt as if I was reliving the Epidemic all over again. Not literally, but it was as if I actually connected to this project, reason being when I grow up, I want to work in the Medical Area and this  project gave me glimpse of what to expect when I enter this type of work.

2. I think my binder reflects my work habits in a good way because when you look through it you will find that is organized, easy to access, and the work is all complete. In my opinion, a binder is a mini representative of your work habits/personality. Some may be clean, organized, and complete or even vice versa. But luckily in my case my binder only represents positive feedback (in my perspective).

3. As mentioned in "Number 1" my favourite Blogs would be the blogs about the Glass Frog and the Small Pox Epidemic because they were Blogs that I was able to make a choice to research about instead of the person in charge picking the topic. This not only to motivated me but to also allowed me to connect to my projects which gave a wonderful result in the end.

4. To me, Engagement in class means talking and participating in group conversation/activities. This might not be my strong area in class but I do try my best to speak up when I have a question and especially when we are in small groups. To improve my engagement in class I must be able to get out of my comfort-zone to speak more freely and this is what I'll do if it is what it takes to improve my engagement not only in Biology but in all my classes.

5. My Goals in this class for the rest of my semester is to keep up my hard working attitude and to try to get out of my comfort-zone more often and speak out in class more. I believe I can accomplish this goal and nothing can stop me from doing so... hopefully.

Viruses - Part 2

Epidemic: The Boston Small Pox, 1721

Although many Small Pox Epidemics have occurred since time began, I'd say the Boston Small Pox in 1721 was surely an epidemic that changed people's lives for sure. Small Pox is an infection caused by the virus called the Variola Virus and  is what caused this dreadful epidemic. It occured between April to December 1721, where 5889 people were diagnosed with Small Pox but luckily only 844 out of the 5889 died because of it. Only a few percent of the total people who got infected actually died because some people were starting to become immune to this infection thanks to something called Inoculation. Inoculation is the term to describe placing a weaker version of the infection into our body so that we will be able to recognize it in the future which is more commonly known as a Vaccine. This might seem as a lucky break but overall this caused over 3 quarters of all the deaths in Boston in that year.

1. Small Pox is very contagious. It can not only be spread by making contact with the person but also making contact with anything the person has touched. For example if a person with Small Pox slept on a bed, and I slept on the same bed without changing the bedsheets, I have a high chance of catching the Infection too. Also Small Pox can be spread by aerosolized droplets that come from coughing and moist saliva in the air.

2. Symptoms of Small pox may not appear until 7 - 17 days after the person has been infected.  But when symptoms start to show they include; (From beginning to end)

• Fatigue, Headache, Vomiting
• Rashes all over body
• Rashes turn into bumps
• Bumps turn into Blisters filled with fluid
• Blisters turn into Pustules
• Pustule crust over creating scabs
• Scabs usually make scars

And in some cases, blindness can occur if Blisters are formed around the eyes.

3. During this Epidemic, luckily only 844 out of the 5889 people infected died.

4. This Epidemic occurred in Boston from April 1721 - December 1721.

5. According to history, no one knows how the Epidemic started, because Small Pox has been a problem for humanity for many centuries but they do know that it was spread like a Wildfire due to it being very Contagious.

Here is an awesome website were I was able to find all the details about the Boston Small Pox Epidemic:

http://ocp.hul.harvard.edu/contagion/smallpox.html

Above is a close up of what a Small Pox Virus looks like.

Viruses - Part 1

Questions: 1 - 6

1. The General Structure of a virus is basically just a DNA or RNA enclosed in a protective protein coat/shell. A Virus (a.k.a. Virion) is so small it cannot be seen with the naked Human eye reason being it's size is only 15 - 25 nanometers in diameter.

2. The Genetic Material found in a a Virus is also called a Viral Genome and is determined on the nature and the function of a virus. That being said, it can contain a double stranded DNA, a double stranded RNA, a single stranded DNA, or even a single stranded RNA. But when you look at it closely, it not only consists of 1 gene, but hundreds of genes which are organized as a long molecule that is either straight or circular.

3. Here is a great Bactiophage Diagram

In case you didn't know, a Bacteriophage is a virus that kills it's host by infecting and reproducing inside it.

4. Plant Virus: Tobacco Mosaic Virus

Here are some of this Virus' symptoms

• Leaves start to curl
• Leaves turn to a Yellow color
• Stunting (Plants stop growing)
• Distorted fruits

Fun fact: Did you know that the Tobacco Mosaic Virus is the most common plant virus in the world?

Animal Virus: Common Cold

Some symptoms of the Common Cold are:

• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Fatigue
• Coughing up of Dark Mucus
• Lowers Body Resistance which may lead to other sicknesses like a Fever

Fun Fact: A single cold virus can produce up to 16 million offspring within 24 hours!

5. In my opinion, I think Viruses should be considered non-living because even though they can reproduce they need a host cell in order to do so. Other than reproducing, they pretty much can't do anything else except just float in the air until it is able to attach to a living organism. It cannot grow, cannot breath, does not need nutrition, and cannot respond to it's surroundings. All in all, I think that Viruses should be considered non-living.

6. At the moment, there aren't any beneficial viruses but there are bacteria and lines of defenses in the human body that can prevent viruses from entering our body. For example Mucus forms a protective layer in our bodies which are the home to phages which can destroy and keep out the bad bacteria from entering our body.

Evolution and Natural Selection - Part 2

The Glass Frog

Results:

The Glass Frog is transparent on the bottom because it allows them to blend in with what they are standing on. So if the frog was was on a dark green leaf, the light reflected off the leaf would shine through thee Frog making the Frog appear dark green too. Thanks to this, it would seem as if the Frog was not even there especially considering the fact that its average size is only about 2cm long. This makes the Glass Frog very successful in the wild thanks to it's ability to become camouflage in a way that no other animal could.

Fun fact - When a Glass frog is walking on a multicolored surface, it may seem as if the Frog is actually changing colors itself. But in reality the light on the surface is just shining through the Frog.

Now here's a cool Video showing the Glass Frog in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EEau-w1Bwc

Evolution and Natural Selection - Part 1

The Glass Frog

Question:

Why are Glass Frogs light green on top and transparent on the bottom?

Hypothesis:

I think Glass frogs are light green on top and transparent on the bottom because it allows them blend in with their surroundings (top/green side) and also allows them to play dead (bottom/see-through side).