What are the criteria for the classification of bacteria?

Answer by  mooly398 (140)

The basic criteria for classifying bacteria are gram positive versus negative, and cocci versus bacilli. Gram positive/negative refers to its Gram staining status, which indicates thick peptidoglycan cell walls. Bacilli are long, rod-shaped bacteria, while cocci are round bacteria.

Answer by  Conor (20)

Bacteria are single-celled organisms. They are prokaryotes, which means they have no nucleus. In size, they are microscopic, measuring only a few micrometres. Most bacteria belong to two broad groups - Gram positive or Gram negative - depending on the presence or absence of certain proteins in their cell wall.