Chapter 1. Modern Microorganisms

A basic knowledge of the features of modern microorganisms can be useful for interpreting microfossils in bacterial-paleontological studies. This article analyzes the diversity of morphological forms of prokaryotic microorganisms, provides data on their size range in comparison with eukaryotic microorganisms and viruses, and describes the principles of modern prokaryotic taxonomy. The paper also discusses some aspects of prokaryotic cytology that play a key role in the formation of biomarkers (“molecular fossils”) and mineral precipitation.