What is Bacillus?
{{italic title}} {{Taxobox | color = lightgrey | name = ''Bacillus'' | image = Bacillus subtilis Gram.jpg | image_width = 220px | image_caption = ''[[Bacillus subtilis]]'', Gram stained | domain = [[Bacteria]] | kingdom = [[Eubacteria]] | divisio = [[Firmicutes]] | classis = [[Bacilli]] | ordo = [[Bacillales]] | familia = [[Bacillaceae]] | genus = '''''Bacillus''''' | genus_authority = [[Ferdinand Cohn|Cohn]], 1872}} '''''Bacillus''''' is a [[genus]] of [[rod shaped]] [[bacteria]]. They are [[Gram-positive]], meaning they have an extra outside cell layer. Bacilli are partly or wholly [[aerobic]]. They do [[aerobic respiration]]. They are every where in nature. ''Bacillus'' includes both free-living (non-parasitic) and [[parasitic]] [[pathogen]]ic species.<ref>Turnbull P.C.B. 1996. Bacillus. In: Baron S. ''et al'' (eds) ''Barron's medical microbiology''. 4th ed, Univ of Texas Medical Branch. {{ISBN|978-0-9631172-1-2}} [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7699/]</ref> Under stressful conditions, they produce endospores. These are not true spores, but like survival pods they can stay in a dormant state for long periods. Some species of ''Bacillus'' are worth noting: *''[[Bacillus anthracis]]'', which causes [[Anthrax (disease)|Anthrax]]. *''[[Bacillus subtilis]]'' is considered an [[model organism]]. It is often used in [[genetic engineering]].<ref>Graumann P (ed) 2012. ''Bacillus: cellular and molecular biology''. 2nd ed, Caister Academic Press. {{ISBN|978-1-904455-97-4}} [http://www.horizonpress.com/bacillus]</ref> *''[[Bacillus cereus]]'' which is responsible for a form of [[food poisoning]]. *''[[Bacillus thuringensis]]'' which is used in pest control. It produces a [[toxin]] which can kill some [[moth]]s, and certain [[butterfly|butterflies]]. <gallery> Image:Bacillus anthracis Gram.jpg|''Bacillus antracis'' Image:Bacillus subtilis Gram.jpg|''Bacillus subtilis'' Image:Bacillus cereus Gram.jpg|''Bacillus cereus'' </gallery> ==Related pages== * [[Listeria]] * [[Bacillus (shape)]] == References == {{refl