The eubacteria is a super class which groups different types of bacteria

except for archaebacteria. Eubacteria are mostly unicellular in nature and

their nucleus is not enclosed in any membrane. These heterotrophic
microbes obtain nutrition from a variety of sources. Most eubacteria are
pathogenic in nature. They are responsible for causing diseases like cholera,
tuberculosis, typhoid and dysentery in humans. Heterotrophic eubacteria
exhibit parasitic as well as saprophytic behavior. Diseases in human beings
are mostly caused by infection of parasitic eubacteria. The saprophytic
eubacteria derive nutrition from dead organisms and their surroundings.

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Bacillus anthracis
These eubacteria are 3-5 micrometers in length; their width is 1-1.2
micrometers. Bacillus anthracis is a Gram-positive bacterium with a rodshaped body. Casimir Davaine and Aloys Pollender are credited with
discovering the Bacillus anthracis. These bacteria synthesize a protein called
D-glutamate. It is the only eubacterium capable of producing a protein
capsule. The Bacillus anthracis grows in both aerobic and anaerobic
environment in laboratories. Origin of the name, anthracis can be traced
back to the Greek word, anthrakis. Anthrakis means coal. Infection of this
bacteria causes black-colored skin lesions, which is probably the reason why
Bacillus anthracis is called anthrakis.

Escherichia coli
Named after Theodor Escherichia, the Escherichia coli is a Gram negative
bacterium with a rod-shaped body. The Escherichia coli O157:H7 is
responsible for causing food poisoning in humans. Otherwise, these bacteria
are not that harmful and do not cause any other health problem. Escherichia
coli grows in the lower intestines of endotherms - warm-blooded organisms.
The beneficial bacteria found in the guts of these warm-blooded animals help
in obtaining vitamin K2. These beneficial bacteria also help in removing
pathogenic bacteria from our body. The Escherichi coli virulent strains cause
urinary tract infections, gastroenteritis and neonatal meningitis; beneficial
Escherichi coli strains are used as probiotic agents for medicinal purposes.

Clostridium tetani
These bacteria are Gram positive and anaerobic in nature. The Clostridium
tetani bacteria possess a rod-shaped body and their gram stain appearance
resembles the shape of drumsticks. Production of tetanospasmin, a biological
toxin is the characteristic feature of these bacteria. They cannot survive in
the presence of oxygen during the phase of vegetative growth. Locomotion
takes place by means of flagella. Clostridium tetani is sensitive to heat. A cut
in skin/wound is used by this pathogenic bacteria as the opening to enter the
body of the host. This organism multiplies after entering the host body. Along

with tetanospasmin,
tetanolysin.

Clostridium

tetani

produces

an

exotoxin

called

Clostridium botulinum
These rod-shaped bacteria are obligate anaerobes in nature; which means
oxygen is poisonous for them. These bacteria are found in low-oxygen
conditions, mainly under marine sediments. The Clostridium botulinum forms
spores to survive in adverse climatic conditions. Emile van Ermengem first
identified and isolated the bacterium in 1895. Clostridium botulinum is
responsible for causing botulism. In botulism, the nervous system is
paralyzed by neurotoxins produced by the bacterium. Symptoms of botulism
can be observed in just 12-36 hours after a person consumes food
contaminated with neurotoxins.

Borrelia burgdorferi
Borrelia burgdorferi is the causal organism of Lyme disease. The bacteria is
commonly found in North America. It is a pathogenic bacterium with a spiral
shaped-body. The Borrelia burgdorferi is a double-membraned bacterium
with two flagella. The Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly (BSK) medium is used for
growing the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium in laboratories. This bacterium
belongs to the genus Spirochaetes (Spirochetes). Cells of the Spirochete
bacteria are helical in shape. Spirochetes is a class of chemoheterotrophic

bacteria. Their length ranges from 5-250 micrometers. These bacteria move
from one place to other by means of a twisting, rotating motion; axial
filaments assist the bacterium in its movements. The Borrelia burgdorferi
reproduces asexually through binary fission.

Helicobacter pylori
This bacterium is found in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans. In fact, it is
found in the upper gastrointestinal tracts. The bacterium can be found in the
intestines of about 50% people in the world. Helicobacter pylori is the causal
organism in 80% of the stomach ulcer cases in the world. Helicobacter pylori
infection is mostly found in countries with poor sanitation. Those who are
infected by Helicobacter pylori are vulnerable to developing stomach cancer.
The major symptoms of infection are stomach ache and gastritis. This Gramnegative bacteria is helix-shaped; its length and diameter are 3 micrometers
and 0.5 micrometers respectively.

Tolypothrix

The tolypothrix is a genus of cyanobacteria. It is grouped under the class

cyanophyceae. The tolypothrix bacteria are filamentous in nature; their

strands are cylindrical in shape. These bacteria are greenish, brownish or

yellowish in color. The tolypothrix and bacteria from genus, Scytonema are
similar in appearance. The tolypothrix bacteria grow in water bodies,
however, near the shores. They are found floating in water or attached to
rocks and plants. There are few species of tolypothrix bacteria which grow in
alkaline water bodies. However, some of them are also found in tree barks,
wet soils, wet stones, etc. The green color of tolypothrix is due to chlorophyll.
Therefore, tolypothrix, like other cyanobacteria, perform photosynthesis and
prepare their own food.

Clostridium perfringens
These Gram positive, rod-shaped bacteria are known to form spores. The
Clostridium perfringens is generally found in marine sediments and areas of
decaying vegetation. It may or may not be pathogenic. Clostridium
perfringens infection rarely causes health problems. Otherwise, ingestion of
these bacteria is generally not harmful. Infection of these bacteria can be
observed in the form of diseases like necrosis, gas gangrene,
emphysematous cholecystitis, bacteremia, etc. Colonies of Escherichia coli
bacteria that are raised on agar plates exhibit rough and irregular margins.

The eubacteria form an important section of microbes found in nature. Most

eubacteria are pathogenic in nature. However, there also are a few species
which benefit the host organism. The knowledge of classification of bacteria
proves to be useful in understanding more about these microbes. The
eubacteria examples and their descriptions presented in the article provide
some useful information on these microbes.