Bacteria in the
genus Bacillus are large Gram-positive rods. They
are shown here in a Gram stain at 1000 X magnification. When
Bacillus replicates, the two daughter cells often stay close together forming chains.
Pathogenic species in the genus Bacillus include
Bacillus anthracis, the cause of anthrax,
and Bacillus cereus , a cause of food poisoning.
It is not possible to distinguish different genera of Bacillus
from one another by a Gram stain. Biochemical tests must be run for complete
identification. Note that the genus name Bacillus
is capitalized and in italics (or underlined). Members of this genus are always Gram-positive
and must have other specific characteristics (aerobic, spore formers, etc.) to be in this genus.
In contrast, the word "bacillus", spelled with a lower case "b" and not
in italics, is used to indicate any rod-shaped bacteria, no matter what
its other characteristics might be.
Click on each image to see an enlarged version.
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1. Bacillus cereus |
2. Bacillus cereus |
3. Bacillus cereus |
4. Bacillus cereus |
5. Bacillus megaterium |
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6. Bacillus megaterium |
7. Bacillus anthracis |
8. Bacillus anthracis |
9. Bacillus anthracis |
10. Bacillus anthracis |
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