Prokaryote Diversity

Microbes create problems for conventional taxonomies:

Haeckel 1865: Protista.
Cohn 1980 --> Development of microscopy, structure of nucleus.
Chatton 1930 --> Stanier & Van Niel 1962.
Whittaker 5 Kingdom classification

The Eukaryote/Prokaryote Divide

Main differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes:

Nature and arrangement of genetic material.
Membrane-bounded organelles.
Protein synthesis machinery, 70S vs. 80S ribosomes.
The chemistry of the cell wall (where present).

Other differences:

Endospores in some prokaryotes.
Gas vesicles in some prokaryotes.
Flagellum structure/function.
Microtubules in eukaryotes.
Size ??? Online Experiment: How Big is a Bug?

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The Chemistry of the Prokaryote Cell Wall:

Christian Gram 1884 - The Gram stain - Online Experiment

Differences between Gram positive and Gram negative cell walls:

The structure of N-acetylmuramic acid:

The structure of murein (peptidoglycan):

Microbiology
by L.M.Prescott et al.
A balanced, comprehensive introduction to all major areas of microbiology. The sixth edition has been updated extensively to reflect the latest discoveries in the field.
(Amazon.co.UK)

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