2. Classification
• From a common ancestor, 3 domains developed.
These include Eukarya, Archaea, and Bacteria. From
each of these domains, there are different phylum.
The phylum under Eukarya is the Eukaryotes.
The phylums under Archaea include Korarchaotes,
Euryarchaeotes, Crenarchaeotes, and Nanoarchaeotes.
The phylums under domain bacteria include
Proteobacteria, Chlamydias, Spirochetes,
Cyanobacteria, and Gram- positive bacteria.
3.
4. • Korarchaeum cryptofilum
These archaea have only been found in high
temperature hydrothermal environments, particularly
hot springs.
They have only been found in very small numbers.
Research on the gene sequences of these organisms
indicates that they are very closely related, although
still unique, from Crenarchaeotes and
Euryarchaeotes.
5. • Methanococcus jannischii
This is a thermophilic methanogenic archaea,
meaning that it thrives at high temperatures and
produces methane.
This archaea was the first to have its complete genome
sequenced.
When the genome was sequenced, it became evident
that it was very unique and helped with the argument
that there are 3 domains instead of 2.
6. • Sulfolobus solfataricus
The origins for DNA replication for this organism were
identified in 2004.
The results showed that the organism contained 2
origins in its genome. This was the first prokaryote to
have evidence of more than one origin for its DNA.
Today, it is used to study DNA replication in archaea.
7. • Nanoarchaeum equitans
This organism was discovered in 2002 and is
considered a thermophile.
It must be in contact with other cells to survive.
Scientists still debate whether or not it is a living
organism.
However, if it proves to be, it would be the smallest
living organism on the planet, whose cells have a
diameter of 400 nanometers and have a genome of
only 490, 885 nucleotides long.
8.
9. • Escherichia coli
This organism is often abbreviated E. Coli.
It is a rod shaped bacteria that is found in the lower
intestine of warm blooded animals.
Although most E. Coli is harmless, certain strands of it
can be dangerous and cause food poisoning
10. • Salmonella enterica
This organism is a rod shaped, flagellated bacteria.
It is a facultative anaerobe, meaning that it can live
with or without oxygen.
It is known to infect cattle and poultry, and then when
people eat the infected meat, they develop a condition
called salmonellosis.
Raw eggs can also contain the bacteria, and so this is
why people are often cautioned before they consume
foods containing raw egg.
11. • Chlamydia trachomatis
This is an obligate intracellular pathogen, meaning
that it can grow and reproduce in its host’s cell.
It causes complications such as urethritis, proctitis,
trachoma, and infertility.
Trachoma is a major condition associated with this
bacteria, which is an infection of the eye.
12. • Chlamydia muridarum
This was originally considered to be chlamydia
trachomatis.
However, the difference is that chlamydia trachomatis
affects only humans, while chlamydia muridarum
affects the family Muridae.
This family includes species such as mice and
hamsters.
13. • Borrelia burgdorferi
This bacteria mainly exists in North America.
However, it has appeared, although more rarely, in
Europe.
It is the cause of Lyme Disease, which is carried by
ticks.
Borrelia burgdorferi is one of the few pathogens that
can survive without iron.
It was the 3rd microbial genome ever sequenced.
14. • Treponema pallidum
This bacteria is associated with the diseases of syphilis,
bejel, pinta, and yaws.
They are gram- negative, meaning that they have an
outer membrane, but cannot be seen on a Gram
stained smear because they are too skinny to be seen
under a light microscope.
15. • Prochlorococcus marinus
They are the smallest known photosynthetic
organisms.
In comparing a marine cyanobacteria with eukaryotic
algae, the difference in numbers of genes is
astounding. While eukaryotic algae has more than
10,000 genes, this species contains only roughly 2,000.
It is estimated that 20% of the Earth’s oxygen comes
from these creatures.
They are also essential to food chains in the ocean.
16. • Prochloron didemni
This is a unicellular photosynthetic organism found
mainly in coral reefs.
It is theorized in the endosymbiotic theory that these
organisms are precursors to the photosynthetic parts
of eukaryotes, although this is still highly debated.
17. • Actinomyces israelii
This is known as the “most misdiagnosed disease”
because doctors often do not catch it until the later
stages.
It affects the vagina, colon and mouth.
One of the most common diseases associated with the
bacteria is Oral- cervicofacial disease, in which the
infected person has a lumpy, but painless jaw.
Another common disease is thoracic disease, although
this is commonly misdiagnosed as a neoplasm.
18. • Streptomyces achromogenes
This bacteria is grown under conditions of 28 degrees
Celsius in yeast and malt extract with glucose.
It was the original source of a drug intended to help
treat pancreatic cancer called, “streptozoticus”
19. • Streptomyces griseus
This bacteria is most commonly found in the soil.
It is a well-known producer of antibiotics, and this is
the first bacterium to ever produce an antibiotic.
It has also been recently discovered as an efficient
water purifier.
