1. Single-celled micro-organisms that can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent on another organism for life).
2. Single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission; important as pathogens and for biochemical properties; taxonomy is difficult; often considered plants.
3. A single-celled, often parasitic microorganism without distinct nuclei or organized cell structures.
Various species are responsible for decay, fermentation, nitrogen fixation, and many plant and animal diseases.
Every square inch (6.4 square centimeters) of the human body has an average of some 32 million bacteria on it, with a grand total of 100 billion; over 22 times the estimated human population on the planet earth. These 100 billion bacteria could fit inside a medium-sized pea.
—"Host to Billions" by Neil McAleer;
The Body Almanac; Doubleday & Company, Inc.;
Garden City, New York; 1985; page 104.
1. A large family of bacteria that have unusually waxy cell walls that are resistant to digestion juices.
2. A rod-shaped Gram-positive aerobic bacterium that can form branching structures resembling filaments. Some diseases in humans are caused by mycobacteria; such as, tuberculosis and leprosy.
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