We use microscopes to see very tiny structures such as cells.
Bacterial cell structure
Bacterial cells are much smaller than plant or animal cells. They were first seen under a microscope by Anton van Leeuwenhoek in 1676. As microscopes have improved, scientists have come to understand bacterial cell structure better.
Using electron microscopes we now know that bacteria have a cell wall. This is similar to a plant cell wall but is more flexible. Bacteria do not have a nucleus. They do have two types of DNA – plasmid and chromosomal. The chromosomal DNA carries most of the genetic information. Plasmid DNA forms small loops and carries extra information. Some bacteria have a flagellum – a whip like tail. This helps the bacteria to move itself along. When we talk about these flagellum tails in multiple bacteria, we call them flagella.
arly microscopes did not magnify to a great extent and scientists have worked hard to improve this. We now have modern light microscopes that can magnify 1,500 times and electron microscopes that can magnify up to two million times. This has allowed scientists to see things such as cells in much greater detail. As a result