KEY TERMS
aerobic, p. 373
autotroph, p. 372
bacillus, p. 370
endospore, p. 371
facultative anaerobe, p. 373
fecal coliform test, p. 377
obligate anaerobe, p. 373
peptidoglycan, p. 370
pilus, p. 371
TEACHING TIPS
1. Students are interested in organisms that cause disease. This chapter offers an opportunity
to discuss epidemiology, microbes in the environment, and sanitation. Stories such as the
2. Remind students of the many beneficial aspects of bacteria, such as their use in genetic
engineering, their role as environmental decomposers and nutrient recyclers, the
3. Give students petri dishes of bacteria nutrient agar to expose in any way they like. Tell
them how to use a swab or filter paper to inoculate their plate, and caution them to wash
carefully afterwards “just in case.” They can expose the plate to the air in their room, the