Bacillus

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 pathogenic species.Turnbull P.C.B. 1996. Bacillus. In: Baron S. et al (eds) Barron's medical microbiology. 4th ed, Univ of Texas Medical Branch.  

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.
Bacillus subtilis is considered an model organism. It is often used in genetic engineering.Graumann P (ed) 2012. Bacillus: cellular and molecular biology. 2nd ed, Caister Academic Press.  
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 moths, and certain butterflies.

Related pages
 Listeria
 Bacillus (shape)

 References 

Category:Gram-positive bacteria