Bacillus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bacillus |
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| Bacillus subtilis, Gram stained | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Bacilli
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Bacillaceae
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| Genus: |
Bacillus
Cohn, 1872
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Bacillus is a genus of rod shaped bacteria. They are Gram-positive, meaning they have an extra outside cell layer.
Bacilli are partly or wholly aerobic. They do aerobic respiration. They are everywhere in nature. Bacillus includes both free-living (non-parasitic) and parasitic pathogenic species.
Under stressful conditions, they produce endospores. These are not true spores, but like survival pods they can stay in a dormant state for long periods.
Some species of Bacillus are worth noting:
- Bacillus anthracis, which causes Anthrax.
- Bacillus subtilis is considered an model organism. It is often used in genetic engineering.
- Bacillus cereus which is responsible for a form of food poisoning.
- Bacillus thuringensis which is used in pest control. It produces a toxin which can kill some moths, and certain butterflies.
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Bacillus antracis
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Bacillus subtilis
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Bacillus cereus
Related pages
Images for kids
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Bacillus subtilis (Gram stain)
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Colonies of the model species Bacillus subtilis on an agar plate
See also
In Spanish: Bacillus para niños
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Bacillus Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.