Bacterial Cell Structures: An introduction to the bacterial cell

This is the full-length “Bacterial Cell Structures” simulation. For shorter, more targeted versions, see the Related simulations below.

Global warming is causing the ice to melt in Antarctica, leading to the discovery of bacteria that have survived this extreme environment. In this simulation, you will learn about bacterial cell structures and how these are important for bacterial survival.

Identify bacteria in a sample from Antarctica

First you will collect a sample of melted ice from Antarctica that contains various bacteria. Your task is to investigate what is in the sample, and which bacterial cell structures are important for bacterial survival.

Study and assemble bacterial cell structures

In order to analyze your bacterial sample and to understand the bacterial cell’s internal and external structures, you will explore the motility features and shapes of bacteria in your sample. You will also compare the outer and inner bacterial cell structures to that of the Eukaryotic cell and assemble the cytoplasmic content of the bacterial and the Eukaryotic cell.

Apply your knowledge

Finally, you will compare your bacterial cell structures to other bacteria and learn which cellular structures are important for the bacteria to survive in extreme environments. Can you help the Arctic researchers decide which survival features they should study?