A. UNDERSTANDING THE DEFINITON OF MONERA
Monera word comes from the Greek "moneres"
which means single. In accordance with the word meaning, Monera are living
organisms that have a single cell (unicellular). Monera are prokaryotes,
meaning monera has no nuclear membrane (the nuclear membrane is not completely
formed yet). There are two living beings who are members of monera kingdom,
Bacteria (Schizophyceae) and blue algae (Cyanophyceae). Monera classification
system that uses as its members are 4 and 5 kingdom classification system, but
now it is not used anymore because, after investigation, blue algae more
appropriately considered as a bacteria called cyanobacteria.
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| MONERA KINGDOM |
B. THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF MONERA
Monera is a unicellular living being (only have one
cell) and prokaryotic (nucleus of the cell has no membrane). However, monera is
still a complete living being. Monera can perform metabolism, disposing of
waste products, process nutrients, grow, develop and reproduce.
C. CHARACTERISTICS OF MONERA
- Primitive single-celled organisms (Unicellular)
- Microscopic organisms that can only be seen with the help of tools such as microscopes.
- Can be found in any habitat, even in extreme environments.
- Asexual reproduction by way of binary fission, while sexual reproduction is conjugation (attachment of two organisms exchanging each other core).
- Divided into two groups, archaebacteria and eubacteria.
D. CLASSIFICATIONS OF MONERA
Monera are divided into two major groups, archaebacteria and eubacteria. Previous monera grouped into two other groups, bacteria
and algae blue. But with the development of science, the blue algae can also be
grouped into bacteri (cyanobacteria). Because of this basic classification
system, the new monera kingdom is divided into:
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| CLASSIFICATION OF MONERA |
1. Archaebacteria
The word is derived from the archae = ancient.
Archaebacteria is monera groups who usually live in extreme environments. These
bacteria size ranging from 0.1 to 15 micrometers. Archaebacteria can be
chemoautotroph (outlining the chemical compound) or organotroph (outlining
organic compounds) to meet nutritional requirements.
Based on the their habitat, Archaebacteria divided
into three groups :
a. Methanogens
Methanogens is a group of archaebacteria that can
produce methane (CH4) from hydrogen (H) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Methanogens
is a type of anaerobic bacteria, which means it can not live in an area full of
oxygen. Usually live as decomposer at the mud and swamps, on this place the
oxygen is consumed by other microorganisms. Methanogenic groups also can live
in the body of animals, and mostly in the digestive system. Examples of this
species is methanobacterium.
b. Halophiles
a group of archaebacteria that live in the place with
relatively high levels of salt. halophiles word comes from two words, "halo"
meaning salt, and "philos" meaning lover. So halofil means "salt
lovers". halophiles is usually found in salt lakes or the Dead Sea. Some
types of halophiles can only live on the habitat salt level rate 10 times the
rate of sea salt. halophiles example is halobacterium sp.
c. Thermophiles
" Thermophiles " composed by two words:
"Termo", which means the temperature, and "philos" meaning
lover. So as the name implies thermophiles is a group of archaebacteria that
live in areas with high temperatures. These bacteria live by oxidizing sulfur
and the optimal temperature they need to live is 60-80 degrees Celsius.
Information about archaebacteria is still limited,
because this group is a new group in the system of classification of living
things. Perhaps over time, the knowledge about this creature will continue to
grow.
2. Eubacteria
Eubacteria is a group that usually referred as
bacteria. The word "Eu" on "Eubacteria" means true.
Actually equalization of bacteria with eubacteria term refers to the fact that
these organisms can be found anywhere, but some scientists distinguish them, or
prefer one term than the other.
Eubacteria itself can be found almost everywhere, in
the air, water, and even in the living body. In contrast to other living
beings, eubacteria body is composed of three main parts: Cell Membrane,
cytoplasm, cell organelles, and has no nucleus. Most eubacteria does not have
chlorophyll, but some of them have a structure which has similar function with
chlorophyll so that they can produce their own food.
Eubacteria are often subdivided into 5 groups :
a.
Proteobacteria
"Proteobacteria" comes from the Greek
"Proteus" which is the ancient Greek god who could change form. This
name was given because of the shape of the members of Proteobacteria varied.
Proteobacteria subdivided into three groups, namely:
- Photoautotroph Purple bacteria, as the name suggests these bacteria are bacteria that usually is purple, red, brown, or orange in color . purple bacteria are Photoautotrophs, they can produce food through photosynthesis. This can be done because the Purple Bacteria have chlorophyll and carotenoids which also gives color to the body.
- Chemoautotroph Proteobacteria , the Proteobacteria group that can produce their own food through the use of energy from a chemical reaction.
- Chemoheterotroph Proteobacteria, in accordance with his nickname,this is a bacteria that can not produce their own food so that they fulfill the nutrition by seeking energy and carbon from organic compounds.
b. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the eubacteria group that has the
smallest size and irregular body shape. Clamydias can only live as parasites in
the bodies of other living creatures. An example is Chlamydia trachomatis (only
attack humans), Chlamydia Suis (only affects pigs), Chlamydia muridarum (only
attacking rats and hamsters). In human body, the Chlamydia trachomatis is the
causative agent of sexually transmitted diseases that damage the reproductive
organs and the eyes.
c.
Cyanobacateria
"Cyanobacteria" is derived from the word
"Kyanos" in Greek, which means blue. In accordance with its name,
cyanobacteria have a bluish green color, so often called bacteria (blue-green /
green-blue). Another name is Cyanophyta Cyanobacteria. This group can be found
living in solitary (alone) or colonize. Some of them have round-shape body, and
there also who have thread-like body shape. Cyanobacteri is a bacteria that has
the chlorophyll pigment like a plant so they can carry out photosynthesis and
play an important role to donate the oxygen to the atmosphere. Cyanobacteria
can be found living in soil, water, and rocks with neutral or slightly alkaline
pH. Blue dominant color of the body is caused by blue pigment in their body
called phycocyanin.
d. Spirochetes
Spirochetes are gram negative spiral bacteria.
Spirochetes can be found living freely in water, soil, or live as parasites in
the body of its host. Spirochetes usually chemoheterotroph (not able to produce
their own food so that they fulfill the nutrition by seeking energy and carbon
from organic compounds). An example is Treponema pallidum which is a bacterium
that causes syphilis.
e. Gram
Positive Bacteria
Gram-positive bacteria are bacteria that has a thick
and homogen cell wall, because of this the gram stain examination of the
substance will give blue violet or purple result. Some members of this group is
photoautotrophs, some others are chemoautotroph. When there is no food
substances or environmental conditions are not comfortable, the gram-positive
bacteria will form endospores which is resistant to extreme conditions and
require fewer nutrients. When things began to be better, then this endospores
will reproduce by dividing, and will produce offspring with the same properties
as its parent.
