It is not a membrane bound nucleus, but simply an area of the cytoplasm where the strands of DNA are found. Most bacteria have a single, circular chromosome that is responsible for replication, although a few species do have two or more. Smaller circular auxiliary DNA strands, called plasmids, are also found in the cytoplasm. These outgrowths assist the bacteria in attaching to other cells and surfaces, such as teeth, intestines, and rocks. Without pili, many disease-causing bacteria lose their ability to infect because they're unable to attach to host tissue.
Proteins are the molecules that perform all the functions of cells and living organisms.
Bacterial ribosomes are similar to those of eukaryotes, but are smaller and have a slightly different composition and molecular structure. There are sufficient differences between bacterial ribosomes and eukaryotic ribosomes that some antibiotics will inhibit the functioning of bacterial ribosomes, but not a eukaryote's, thus killing bacteria but not the eukaryotic organisms they are infecting. All Rights Reserved . No images, graphics, software, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders.