Bacterium Official

In the food industry, bacteria are used to produce yogurt, cheese, pickles, and sauerkraut.

Certain bacteria in soil convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form plants can use to grow. bacterium

Bacteria are generally categorized by their shape and the composition of their cell walls: In the food industry, bacteria are used to

Scientists use a Gram stain to classify them. Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer that retains purple dye, while Gram-negative bacteria have a thinner layer and an outer membrane, appearing pink. Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer that

Bacteria reproduce asexually through , a process where a single cell duplicates its DNA and splits into two identical daughter cells. Under optimal conditions, some species can double their population every 20 minutes. They can also exchange DNA through conjugation , which allows for the rapid spread of traits like antibiotic resistance. 3. Ecological and Industrial Importance

Engineered bacteria produce insulin, vaccines, and enzymes used in detergents. 4. Human Health and the Microbiome