Bacteria

Bacteria

Bacteria is a simple organism that consists of one cell. They are among the smallest living thing on earth. Most bacteria measures from about 0.3 to 2.0 microns in diameter, and can only be seen through a microscope. Scientist classify bacteria according to shape. Cocci are round and sometimes linked together. Bacilli look like rods, and Vibrios resembles bent rods. There are two types of spiral-shaped bacteria, spirochetes and spirilla. Bacteria exist almost anywhere you can think of. There are thousands of types of bacteria, most of which are completely harmless to the human body. Some species cause diseases while others are harmless. The Pros & Cons of Bacteria Certain kinds of bacteria live in the intestines of human beings and animals. These forms of bacteria are essential in the digestion process. They help the digestion process by eliminating and destroying harmful organisms. Intestinal bacteria also produces some vitamins needed by body. Bacteria cells resemble the cells of other living things in many ways, and so scientist study bacteria to learn more about complex organisms. For exmaple, the study of bacteria has helped researchers understand how certain characteristics are transferred through heredity. Most species of bacteria reproduce quickly. This enables many scientist to grow large quantities of research due to rapid reproduction of bacteria. Some kinds of bacteria cause diseases to human beings, animals and plants. The diseases include: cholera, gonnorhea, leporasy, gangrene, pneumonia, tuberculosis, tracheal bronchitis, syphilis, and typhoid fever. Bacteria enters the body through natural openings, such as the nose, mouth, and even breaks or cracks in the skin. In addition to transfer of bacteria through natural openings, bacteria is also transfered from one person to another by means of food, water, and air. Harmful bacteria prevents the body from functioning properly by destroying healthy cells. Certain bacteria produces posions which cause such diseases such as diperthia, tetanus, and scarlet fever. Some posions are produced by living bacteria while others are released only after bacterium dies. A form of food posioning called botulism is caused by posions from bacteria in improperly canned foods. Bacteria that may live harmlessly in the body can also cause infections. The infections are only minor compared to posion produceing bacteria. An example of this would include, if bacteria in the throat of a person with low immunity, reproduces faster than the persons body can dispose of them , the result is an infection which is known as sore throat. As stated earlier, bacteria also causes diseases in animals as well as plants. Athrimax is a bacterial disease that infects many animals, espically cattle and sheep. Plant diseases caused by bacteria include fire blight, which occurs mainly in apple and pear trees, and soft rot, which decays some fruits and vegetables. Bacteria also causes growths called crown galls, which attack various plants. Protect Yourself From Those Infetious Microbes! Many bacteria live on the skin , in the mouth, in the intestines, and even in our breathing passages. But the rest of the body tissues are normally free of bacteria. The skin, and the membranes that line the digestive and respitory systems, prevent most harmful bacteria from entering the body. When harmful bacteria does enter the body, white blood cells surround and attack the bacteria. In addition to the white blood cells our blood produces antibodies to fight against infection too. Toxins are neutralized by certain antibodies called antitoxons. Sometimes the body cannot make its own antitoxins fast enough. In such cases, a physician may inject an antitoxin from an animal, such as a horse or rabbit into you to supplement the defiecency of your body to produce antitoxins. Dead or weakened bacteria are used in making drugs called vaccines, which can prevent the diseases