This photograph shows what Eubacteria look like under a microscope.
JPL/NASA
The Domain Eubacteria
Eubacteria, also know as “true bacteria”, are microscopic organisms that have prokaryotic cells. Because of their prokaryotic cells, they have a rigid cell wall but no mitochondria or other large organelles, and they have a single chromosome that is not within a nucleus. Most reproduce asexually.
Cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, are Eubacteria that have been living on our planet for over 3 billion years. This bacterium grows in mats and mounds in the shallow parts of the ocean. Today it is only common in certain regions, but a few billion years ago, there was so much of it that, through photosynthesis, it was able to add enough oxygen to Earth’s primitive atmosphere for animals that require oxygen could survive.
Some Eubacteria can cause problems for human health. For instance, Streptococci bacteria cause strep throat. If Staphylococci bacteria gets into a cut in your skin is can cause an infection that is called a staph infection. Bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella are sometimes found in undercooked meat and eggs and can make people sick. Other bacteria are beneficial to human health, such as those found in yogurt.
People have found that some types of Eubacteria can be very useful. Many forms are able to breakdown waste and are used at wastewater treatment plants and in septic systems. Eubacteria are also used to ferment grapes to make wine and to ferment milk to make certain cheeses.
Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!
Traveling Nitrogen is a fun group game appropriate for the classroom. Players follow nitrogen atoms through living and nonliving parts of the nitrogen cycle. For grades 5-9.
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