title: Bacillus
text: Bacillus is a genus of rod shaped bacteria. They are Gram-positive, meaning they have an extra outside cell layer.
  
  Bacilli are partly or wholly aerobic. They do aerobic respiration. They are everywhere in nature. Bacillus includes both free-living (non-parasitic) and parasitic pathogenic species.
  
  Under stressful conditions, they produce endospores. These are not true spores, but like survival pods they can stay in a dormant state for long periods.
  
  Some species of Bacillus are worth noting:
  
  Bacillus anthracis, which causes Anthrax.
  Bacillus subtilis is considered an model organism. It is often used in genetic engineering.
  Bacillus cereus which is responsible for a form of food poisoning.
  Bacillus thuringensis which is used in pest control. It produces a toxin which can kill some moths, and certain butterflies.
  
  Related pages
   Listeria
   Bacillus (shape)
  
  References 
  
  Gram-positive bacteria