Prokaryotes are EVERYWHERE

Did you know that humans, on average, have about three pounds of E.coli and other bacteria living in their gut?  Considering that most bacteria are fewer than 10 micrometers in length and have a weight to match, that's a lot of bacteria!

Today, in R4, groups of students worked to debrief a textbook reading about prokaryotes and answer the question of how single-celled bacteria survive.  You should now be able to draw and label a diagram of E. coli, one of the most abundant prokaryotic species, and annotate the diagram with the functions of each of the major structures.

The textbook diagrams, however, are misleadingly clear.  In reality, the parts of E. coli aren't quite so easy to pick out.  But all the parts we discussed are there - check it out:

Homework
Your assignment is to answer the questions below about this particular prokaryote.  Use looseleaf or an index card.

1. Determine the length of this prokaryote using the scale bar.  Show your workings.
2. Identify the structures labeled I, II, III, and IV.
3. Explain how I, II, III and IV enable the prokaryote to live.

This is due Tuesday for R4 and Friday for R6.  Remember that R4 has a short quiz tomorrow.