Bacillus anthracis
species of bacteria, causes anthrax
Bacillus anthracis is a gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium, 1–1.2µm in width and 3–5µm in length. It is the agent which causes anthrax.
Bacillus anthracis | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Photomicrograph of Bacillus anthracis (fuchsin-methylene blue spore stain). | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Phylum: | |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: | |
Genus: | |
Binomial name | |
Bacillus anthracis |
Description
changeThe bacillus lives in soils worldwide at moderate temperatures. It can be grown in aerobic or anaerobic conditions (it is a facultative anaerobe) in a medium with essential nutrients, including carbon and nitrogen sources. In 1877, this organism was the first to be shown to cause disease by Robert Koch and verified by Louis Pasteur.