Manner of growth. The cells of which all plants and animals consist increase in numbers by the division of each cell into two cells through the formation of a division wall across the cell. The new cells divide and the plant or animal continues to grow. The same cell division occurs in the bacteria but since the bacteria are single celled, division of the cells means an increase in numbers rather than growth as in the higher forms of life.
Fig. 2.—Division of Bacteria.
The bacteria increase in numbers by the division of each cell into two cells. (After Novy.)
In the case of those bacteria that have a greater length than diameter, the new wall is formed at right angles to the long axis of the cell. As soon as the division is complete each cell is a complete individual, capable of carrying on all of its life processes. The cells may, however, cohere and thus form distinctive groupings that may serve to identify certain types. Some of the cocci form long chains and the term streptococcus is applied to such. Other groupings may be similar to a bale of twine or they may be massed in clusters with no regularity distinguishable.
Spores. Just as ordinary plants form resistant structures, known as seeds, capable of retaining vitality under conditions unfavorable for growth thereby perpetuating the species, so with certain of the bacteria, definite structures, known as spores, that are analogous in some respects to the seeds of the higher plants, are produced within the mother cell. The spores are exceedingly resistant to the influence of an unfavorable environment, such as heat, cold, drying, and even chemical agents. It is this property of the spores which makes it so difficult to destroy the bacterial life in the process of sterilizing milk. The property of spore-formation is fortunately confined to a comparatively small number of different species of bacilli.
Movement. Many of the bacteria are provided with vibratory organs of locomotion, known as cilia (singular cilium) which are variously distributed on the surface of the cell. By the movement of these relatively long, thread-like appendages the individual cell is able to move in liquids. It must be remembered, when these moving cells are observed under the microscope, that their apparent rate of movement is magnified relatively as much as their size.
Conditions for growth. All kinds of living things need certain conditions for growth such as food, moisture, air and a favorable temperature. The bacteria prefer as food such organic matter as milk, meat, and vegetable infusions. Those living on dead organic matter are known as saprophytes, while those which are capable of thriving in the tissues of the living plant or animal are known as parasites. Certain of the parasitic forms are capable of causing disease in plants and animals. In the first group are embraced most of the bacteria that are able to develop in milk or its products, such as those forms concerned in the spoiling of milk or its fermentation. It is true that milk may contain disease-producing bacteria coming either from a diseased animal or from a diseased human being. It is also true that some of such harmful forms are able to grow in milk, such as the organisms causing typhoid fever and diphtheria.
Food. The bacteria like all other plants must have their food in solution. Where they apparently live on solids, such as meats, fruits, etc., they dissolve the food substances before utilizing the same. If the solutions are highly concentrated, as in the case of syrups, preserves and condensed milk, the bacteria cannot readily grow, although all of the necessary food ingredients are present. When such concentrated solutions are diluted, bacterial growth will take place and the solutions will spoil.
