Microbes and Human Life
Microbes and Human Life
Because of the presence of microbes in all walks of human life, there is constant interaction between microbes and humans. The vast majority of the bacteria in the body are rendered harmless by the protective effects of the immune system, and a few are beneficial. In fact, the relationship between microbes and humans is delicate and complex.
Benefits of Microbes Microbes are useful for us in many ways in various industries.
Production of Foods
Microbes are a key component in both home and industrial food preparation. + Lactic acid bacteria are used to make yogurt, cheese, sour cream, buttermilk and other fermented milk products.
+ Vinegars are produced by bacterial acetic acid fermentation.
+ Yeast is used in the manufacture of beer and wine and for the leavening of breads. It is also involved in fermentations to convert corn and other vegetable carbohydrates into ethanol to make beer, wine, or gasohol; but bacteria are the agents of most other food fermentations.
+ Other fermented foods include soy sauce, sauerkraut, dill pickles, olives, salami, cocoa and black teas.
Medical, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnological Applications
Certain microbes can help us in the fight against other microbes. In human and veterinary medicine, that are used to treat and prevent infectious diseases, microbes are a source of antibiotics and vaccines. + Antibiotics are substances produced by microorganisms that kill or inhibit other microbes. They are used in the treatment of infectious disease. Antibiotics are produced in nature by molds such as Penicillium and bacteria such as Streptomyces and Bacillus.
+ Vaccines are substances derived from microorganisms and are used to immunize against disease. The microbes that are the cause of infectious disease are usually the ultimate source of vaccines.
+ Biotechnology Microbiology makes a significant contribution to biotechnology, an area of science that applies microbial
Because of the presence of microbes in all walks of human life, there is constant interaction between microbes and humans. The vast majority of the bacteria in the body are rendered harmless by the protective effects of the immune system, and a few are beneficial. In fact, the relationship between microbes and humans is delicate and complex.
Benefits of Microbes Microbes are useful for us in many ways in various industries.
Production of Foods
Microbes are a key component in both home and industrial food preparation. + Lactic acid bacteria are used to make yogurt, cheese, sour cream, buttermilk and other fermented milk products.
+ Vinegars are produced by bacterial acetic acid fermentation.
+ Yeast is used in the manufacture of beer and wine and for the leavening of breads. It is also involved in fermentations to convert corn and other vegetable carbohydrates into ethanol to make beer, wine, or gasohol; but bacteria are the agents of most other food fermentations.
+ Other fermented foods include soy sauce, sauerkraut, dill pickles, olives, salami, cocoa and black teas.
Medical, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnological Applications
Certain microbes can help us in the fight against other microbes. In human and veterinary medicine, that are used to treat and prevent infectious diseases, microbes are a source of antibiotics and vaccines. + Antibiotics are substances produced by microorganisms that kill or inhibit other microbes. They are used in the treatment of infectious disease. Antibiotics are produced in nature by molds such as Penicillium and bacteria such as Streptomyces and Bacillus.
+ Vaccines are substances derived from microorganisms and are used to immunize against disease. The microbes that are the cause of infectious disease are usually the ultimate source of vaccines.
+ Biotechnology Microbiology makes a significant contribution to biotechnology, an area of science that applies microbial