Bacteria are single-celled organisms, found in almost each and every type of environment. They are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye and have to be seen through a microscope. Infact, their size is measured in micro-meter (a millionth part of a meter). There are thousands of species of bacteria found in the world. However, we can classify these species into groups, depending upon a number of factors like their shape, gram strain, etc. In the following lines, we have provided a list of the different types of bacteria (microbes) found in the world.
Different Types of Bacteria
Classification on the Basis of Shapes
Bacteria are usually classified on the basis of their shapes. Broadly, they can be divided into
- Rod-shaped bacteria (Bacilli)
- Sphere-shaped bacteria (Cocci)
- Spiral-shaped bacteria (Spirilla)
Classification on the Basis of Gram Strain
This classification is based on the results of Gram Staining Method, in which an agent is used to bind to the cell wall of the bacteria.
- Gram-positive
- Gram-negative
Classification on the Basis of Oxygen Requirement
This classification is based on the requirement of oxygen for the survival of the bacterium.
- Aerobic (Need Oxygen)
- Anaerobic (Do not need Oxygen)
Classification on the Basis of Growth and Reproduction
This classification is based on the growth and reproduction aspects of bacteria.
- Autotrophic Bacteria (Obtain carob and/or sugar from sunlight or chemical reactions)
- Heterotrophic Bacteria (Obtain carob and/or sugar from the environment)
Classification on the Basis of Phyla
This classification is based on the phyla, determined through morphology, DNA sequencing, conditions required and biochemistry.
- Aquificae
- Bacteroids
- Chlorobia
- Chrysogenetic
- Cyanobacteria
- Fibrobacter
- Firmicutes
- Flavobacteria
- Fusobacteria
- Planctomycetes
- Proteobacteria
- Spirochaetes
- Thermomicrobia
- Verrucomicrobia
- Xenobacteria
