Yet despite their size they show a surprising degree of complexity in their structures. In this section we will look at the various compounds that make up a microbe and how these are put together. Learning the structure of a microbe helps in understanding how a microbe functions. To drive this point home, here are a few examples. One important property is the ability to attach to the intended victim.
Many bacteria are capable of movement in their environment either by flagella or gliding motility.
In the case of flagella, the bacteria have a long, flexible, spiral shaped structure, the flagellum, that helps to push the microbe through solution. Flagella also help in the detection of favorable or unfavorable conditions and move the bacteria in an appropriate direction. As a microbe grows it has to synthesize more of itself. Knowing what it is made of and how it is put together is critical to gain an understanding of the growth process. Microbes are also capable of exchanging genetic information by mating .