Bacteria

Actinobacteria

Miscellaneous

Two organelles, mitochondria and chloroplasts, are generally believed to have been derived from endosymbiotic bacteria. See: endosymbiotic theory.

Related Topics:
Organelle - Mitochondria - Chloroplast - Endosymbiotic

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Microorganisms are widely distributed and are most abundant where they have food, moisture, and the right temperature for their multiplication and growth. They can be carried by air currents from one place to another. The human body is home to billions of microorganisms; they can be found on skin surfaces, in the intestinal tract, in the mouth, nose, and other body openings. They are in the air one breathes, the water one drinks, and the food one eats.

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The great antiquity of the bacteria has enabled them to evolve a great deal of genetic diversity. They are far more diverse than, say, the mammals or insects. For instance, the genetic distance between E. coli and Thermus aquaticus is greater than the distance between humans and oak trees.

Related Topics:
Mammal - Insect - Oak

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