Bacteria: References & Edit History
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Additional Reading
A comprehensive survey of the vast array of bacterial species is presented in George M. Garrity et al. (eds.), Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, 5 vol., 2nd ed. (2001–12), a reference and sourcebook accepted as standard throughout the world for classification of bacteria and related microorganisms. Advanced textbooks covering all general characteristics of microorganisms—including morphology, physiology, biochemistry, ecological role, and classification—are Michael T. Madigan et al., Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 14th ed. (2015); Joanne M. Willey, Linda M. Sherwood, and Christopher J. Woolverton, Prescott’s Microbiology, 10th ed. (2015); and Lucy Shapiro and Richard Losick (eds.), Cell Biology of Bacteria (2011).
Thomas D. Brock, The Emergence of Bacterial Genetics (1990), describes the historical development of bacterial genetics and molecular biology. Additional coverage of the molecular and genetic features of bacteria is found in Larry Snyder et al., Molecular Genetics of Bacteria, 4th ed. (2013). Clive Edwards (ed.), Microbiology of Extreme Environments (1990); and Charles Gerday and Nicolas Glansdorff (eds.), Physiology and Biochemistry of Extremophiles (2007), are detailed explorations of microorganisms that live in extreme environments.
Bacteria in the human body and their role in human health and disease are discussed in Julian Marchesi (ed.), The Human Microbiota and Microbiome (2014).
Article Contributors
Primary Contributors
- Robert J. Kadner
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Kara Rogers
Kara Rogers is the senior editor of biomedical sciences at Encyclopædia Britannica, where she oversees a range of content from medicine and genetics to microorganisms. She joined Britannica in 2006 and has been a member of the National Association of Science Writers since 2009.
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors
Article History
| Type | Description | Contributor | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Article title updated for style. | Nov 11, 2026 | ||
| Modified link of Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Understanding bacterial pathogenicity: a closer look at the journey of harmful microbes. | Sep 26, 2026 | ||
| Add new Web site: Cleveland Clinic - Bacteria. | Jul 29, 2026 | ||
| Add new Web site: Openstax - Biology 2e - Structure of Prokaryotes: Bacteria and Archaea. | Jan 03, 2026 | ||
| Corrected display issue. | Oct 10, 2025 | ||
| Cross-references added. | Sep 08, 2025 | ||
| Add new Web site: Arizona State University - Ask A Biologist - Bacteria. | Apr 14, 2025 | ||
| Added an image of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. | May 29, 2024 | ||
| Cross-references added. | May 29, 2024 | ||
| Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Understanding bacterial pathogenicity: a closer look at the journey of harmful microbes. | Apr 11, 2024 | ||
| Media added. | Apr 11, 2024 | ||
| Add new Web site: University of California Museum of Paleontology - Introduction to the Bacteria. | Jun 20, 2023 | ||
| Add new Web site: Microbiology Society - Bacteria. | Mar 31, 2023 | ||
| Add new Web site: Live Science - What are bacteria? | Oct 06, 2022 | ||
| Added mention of Thiomargarita magnifica, one of the largest species of bacteria known. | Jul 14, 2022 | ||
| Add new Web site: Biology LibreTexts - Bacteria. | Apr 03, 2022 | ||
| Add new Web site: National Geographic Society - Bacteria. | Apr 03, 2022 | ||
| Changed “a bacteria” to “a bacterium” in figure caption describing Streptococcus mutans. | Dec 04, 2020 | ||
| Add new Web site: Science Learning Hub - Bacteria � good, bad and ugly. | Feb 07, 2019 | ||
| Media added. | Feb 08, 2017 | ||
| Updated information on bacterial classification schemes. | Feb 08, 2017 | ||
| Media added. | Feb 08, 2017 | ||
| Updated information on the size range of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. | Feb 08, 2017 | ||
| Bibliography updated. | Feb 08, 2017 | ||
| Add new Web site: McGraw-Hill Education - Bacteria. | Nov 02, 2016 | ||
| Added video. | Aug 31, 2015 | ||
| Updated names of various species of bacteria. | Jul 22, 2015 | ||
| Updated names of bacterial species and added information on plasmids and bacterial genomes. | Jul 21, 2015 | ||
| Bibliography thoroughly revised and updated. | Jul 21, 2015 | ||
| Classification section thoroughly revised and updated. | Jul 21, 2015 | ||
| Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Bacteria. | Oct 21, 2013 | ||
| Add new Web site: Rader's Biology4Kids! - Bacteria. | Oct 21, 2013 | ||
| Add new Web site: Healthline - Bacteria. | Oct 21, 2013 | ||
| Add new Web site: Merck Manual - Consumer Version - Overview of Bacteria. | Oct 21, 2013 | ||
| Added mention of bacteria that live deep below Earth's surface and the extremely slow rate at which certain of those bacteria may reproduce. | Sep 12, 2013 | ||
| Added videos describing the role of bacteria in organic decomposition and the processes of conjugation and transduction. | Jan 12, 2012 | ||
| Add new Web site: Western Kentucky University - Bacteria. | Nov 21, 2011 | ||
| Add new Web site: Ohio State University - Bacteria. | Jul 12, 2011 | ||
| Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Bacteria. | Jan 31, 2011 | ||
| Added diagram of the tree of life according to the three-domain system. | Nov 16, 2010 | ||
| Added images of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and of macrophages engulfing bacteria. | Feb 16, 2010 | ||
| Added a video on the four growth phases of bacterial colonies, a graph depicting the growth phases, and images of bacterial colonies in various stages of growth. | Jul 31, 2009 | ||
| Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Science - Bacteria. | Feb 06, 2009 | ||
| Added new Web site: University of Leeds - Medical Microbiology - A Brief Introduction - Bacteria. | Sep 24, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: Enchanted Learning - Bacteria. | Sep 24, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: Livescience - Information About Bacteria. | Sep 24, 2008 | ||
| Media added. | Jul 30, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: University of California Museum of Paleontology - Bacteria. | Jun 17, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: Kimball's Biology Pages - Genetic Recombination in Bacteria. | Apr 22, 2008 | ||
| Added new Web site: Cells alive! - Bacteria Divide and Multiply. | Apr 22, 2008 | ||
| Article revised and updated. | Dec 06, 2007 | ||
| Added new Web site: Cells Alive - Bacterial Cell. | Sep 17, 2007 | ||
| Added new Web site: American Museum of Natural History - Infection, Detection, Protection. | Jul 06, 2006 | ||
| Added new Web site: American Museum of Natural History - Infection, Detection, Protection. | Jul 06, 2006 | ||
| Added new Web site: University of California, Berkeley: Museum of Paleontology - The Phylogeny of Life. | Jun 27, 2006 | ||
| Added new Web site: University of California, Berkeley: Museum of Paleontology - Introduction to the Bacteria. | Jun 26, 2006 | ||
| Article revised. | May 11, 2001 | ||
| Article revised. | Sep 05, 2000 | ||
| Article added to new online database. | Jul 26, 1999 |
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