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The simplest cells of all — bacteria and cyanobacteria — have no true nucleus, yet they live everywhere, even in hot springs and inside our bodies.
In this Activity, we will explore Kingdom Monera by observing bacteria and cyanobacteria under the microscope.
- In the school laboratory, observe permanent slides of bacteria and cyanobacteria under the microscope.
- Compare what you see with Fig. 12.6.
- Note that these are single-celled prokaryotes grouped under Monera.
- Recall where bacteria are found — soil, water, air, hot springs and even inside our bodies.
- Monera includes single-celled prokaryotes — bacteria and cyanobacteria (Fig. 12.6).
- Bacteria live almost everywhere, including extreme environments and the gut of ruminants (helping produce biogas).
- Some are harmful (pathogens) but many are useful ( Lactobacillus , Rhizobium ); cyanobacteria are autotrophs and decomposers.
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) were among the first organisms to produce oxygen through photosynthesis. About 2.5 billion years ago, the oxygen they released made the Earth suitable for other life. Fossils of ancient cyanobacteria, found in structures called stromatolites in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, give some of the earliest evidence of life on the Earth.
Ram Bux Singh is popularly known as the ‘Father of Modern Biogas’. In 1957 he established India’s first scientifically designed biogas plant at Ramnagar, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, beginning systematic biogas research in the country. He later developed low-cost biogas plants for rural areas and advised several countries, promoting renewable energy and sustainable development.
- Monera — the kingdom of single-celled prokaryotes — bacteria, archaea and cyanobacteria.
- Prokaryote — a cell with a primitive nucleus, i.e. no true membrane-bound nucleus.
- Cyanobacteria — blue-green algae; autotrophic monerans that were among the first organisms to release oxygen by photosynthesis.
