Bacteria Friend or Foe?
Bacteria are the most ancient life forms, most bacteria are so small that under a light microscope you can only see them as little dots. Some groups however grow to larger sizes and have spectacular shapes (1). Bacteria are present in most habitats on the planet, growing in soil, water, acidic hot springs, radioactive waste, and deep in the Earth's crust, as well as in organic matter and the live bodies of plants and animals (2). Bacteria is mostly thought of as a pathogen, while it is true that bacteria are responsible for a large number of human diseases, they are also very beneficial to humans. Some of the benefits include the symbiotic relationship they have with other organisms, the recycling of nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus, which decomposes waste and dead organisms (3). Bacteria also provide the food production of some cheeses and yoghurts, the making of antibiotics and vaccines and they can also be used for research in genetics (4).
Bacteria are the smallest cellular organisms and are the most abundant (4). Bacteria are tiny single-cell microorganisms, they are neither plants nor animals they belong to a group all by themselves and are usually only a few micrometers in length (5). Bacteria are generally distinguished from each other by their shape. Spherical bacteria are known as cocci, rod-shaped as bacilli and spirilla (4). Bacteria are prokaryotic cells, they have no nucleus or membrane bound organelles except for ribosomes. Most bacteria have pili, flagella, and a cell capsule unlike animal or plant cells (5). Bacteriologists say bacteria are found absolutely everywhere except places that humans have sterilized. Even the most unlikely places where temperatures may be extreme, or where there may be a high concentration of toxic chemicals have bacteria, these are known as extremophiles (5). An extremophile is any organism adapted to living in conditions of extreme temperature, pressure, or, and chemical concentrations these bacteria can survive
Bacteria are the smallest cellular organisms and are the most abundant (4). Bacteria are tiny single-cell microorganisms, they are neither plants nor animals they belong to a group all by themselves and are usually only a few micrometers in length (5). Bacteria are generally distinguished from each other by their shape. Spherical bacteria are known as cocci, rod-shaped as bacilli and spirilla (4). Bacteria are prokaryotic cells, they have no nucleus or membrane bound organelles except for ribosomes. Most bacteria have pili, flagella, and a cell capsule unlike animal or plant cells (5). Bacteriologists say bacteria are found absolutely everywhere except places that humans have sterilized. Even the most unlikely places where temperatures may be extreme, or where there may be a high concentration of toxic chemicals have bacteria, these are known as extremophiles (5). An extremophile is any organism adapted to living in conditions of extreme temperature, pressure, or, and chemical concentrations these bacteria can survive
References: 3. About.com Biology, ‘Bacteria Friend or Foe’, Regina Bailey. biology.about.com/cs/bacteriology/a/aa032504a.htm Downloaded 22/02/2013 4. Glenn and Susan Toole, Biology for advance level, 4th edition (1999), Nelson Thornes 7. Britannica, ‘ Bacteria’ No Author Stated http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/48203/bacteria/39334/Diversity-of-structure-of-bacteria Downloaded 25/02/2013 8. CJ Clegg, Microbes in Action, 1st edition (2002), John Murray Ltd