Title: Bacteria | Encyclopedia.com
Headings: 
Bacteria
Characteristics of bacteria
Bacterial growth
Carbon, nitrogen, and other growth factors
Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria
The role of bacteria in fermentation
Identifying and classifying bacteria
Bacteria and disease
Bacterial adaptation
KEY TERMS
Resources
BOOKS
Bacteria
Characteristics of bacteria
Bacterial growth
Stages of bacterial growth
Physical and chemical requirements for bacterial growth
Temperature and bacteria
pH and bacteria
Osmotic pressure and bacteria
Carbon, nitrogen and other growth factors
Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria
Aerobic bacteria
Anaerobic bacteria
The role of bacteria in fermentation
Identifying and classifying bacteria
Bacteria and disease
Bacterial adaptation
Resources
books
other
KEY TERMS
Capsule
Death phase
Exotoxins
Fimbriae
Gram staining
Koch's postulates
Lag phase
Log phase
Phage typing
Pili
Spirochetes
Stationary phase
Bacteria
Definition
Description
Classification
Bacterial structure
Function
Energy requirements for growth
Binary fission and the growth curve
Role in human health
Normal flora
Pathogenic bacteria
Antibiotic resistance
Common diseases and disorders
KEY TERMS
Resources
BOOKS
PERIODICALS
ORGANIZATIONS
Bacteria
Characteristics of bacteria
Words to Know
Bacterial growth
Harmless, beneficial, and harmful bacteria
Hardy survivors
Bacteria
ROBERT KOCH
PASTEURIZATION KILLS BACTERIA
THE BENEFITS OF BACTERIA
bacteria
bacteria
bacteria
bacterium
bacteria

Content: Some scientists have proposed splitting this designation into the kingdoms Eubacteria and Archaebacteria. Eubacteria, or true bacteria, consist of more common species, while Archaebacteria (with the prefix archae — meaning ancient) represent microorganisms that are bacteria-like in appearance that inhabit very hostile environments. Scientists believe the latter microorganisms are most closely related to the bacteria that lived when Earth was very young. Examples of archaebacteria are halophiles, which live in extremely salty environments, and thermophiles, which can tolerate and even thrive in near boiling waters of geysers and geothermal vents of the ocean floor. Characteristics of bacteria
Although all bacteria share certain structural, genetic, and metabolic characteristics, important biochemical differences exist among the many species of bacteria. These differences permit bacteria to live in many different, and sometimes extreme, environments. For example, some bacteria recycle nitrogen and carbon from decaying organic matter, then release these gases into the atmosphere to be reused by other living things. Other bacteria cause diseases in humans and animals, help digest sewage in treatment plants, or produce the alcohol in wine, beer, and liquors. Still others are used by humans to break down toxic waste chemicals in the environment, a process called bioremediation. The cytoplasm of all bacteria is enclosed within a cell membrane surrounded by a rigid cell wall whose polymers, with few exceptions, include peptidoglycans — large, structural molecules made of protein carbohydrate.