Bacteria.... a very important part of our existence yet often overlooked or underrated. According to Wikipedia :
Bacteria constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Bacteria have a number of shapes ranging from spheres to rods and spirals. Bacteria were among the first life forms to appear on earth and are present in most habitat.
Simply put: Bacteria are microscopic living organisms, usually one celled that can be found everywhere. They can be dangerous,such as when they cause infection or beneficial as in the process of fermentation(such as in wine) and that of decomposition.
Previously, there was a notion that our bodies are made up of 10 times more bacteria cells to 1 ratio of human cells. This notion has been debunked as some more research has shown that there are approximately 39 trillion bacterial cells in our body; where as there are 30 trillion human cells in the body. So technically we have a little bit more bacterial cells in our body.
There are actually more reasons to love bacteria than to fear them. The latest being a discovery of a new bacteria based antibiotic that allow scientists to fight infection that kill thousands of people yearly.
We eat Bacteria on purpose
Many foods are created by purposefully adding bacteria. Common snacks like yoghurt, certain cheese, sour dough bread and some pickles; are all examples of Bacteria aided food. These foods are actually great for you because they aid in digestion.
A lot of Bacteria are really good but some are really bad
A large majority of bacteria living with you are really good. They even help you fight off bad bacteria and most work with your body to help you function.
However, there are bad bacteria that are just annoying but relatively harmless. An example is the bacteria that causes pimples and bad breath.
Some are really bad, like the bacteria that cause infections and bacterial contagions that can be fatal.
Luckily, of all the bacteria out there, less than 1 percent will actually make you sick.
Bacteria in our guts can help us digest our food. Scientists even think that bacteria can help reduce obesity in the society through more bacterial diversity.
Bacteria might also help cure a bunch of other illnesses. Everything from asthma, allergies, certain types of diabetes, upset stomach and a bunch of other Auto immune diseases have all been linked to a lack of bacterial bio diversity.
Another really exciting thing about bacteria is the fact that bacteria can be changed. Gene's can't be changed meaning any genetic disease can't be cured but can only be maintained. The genetic make up of your bacteria can be altered. So if you have any disease caused by bacteria, you could theoretically alter your bacteria's DNA; by changing up the bacterial diversity in your body, thereby getting rid of the disease entirely.
Bacteria can live in some of the harshest conditions you could ever imagine. In the deepest ends of the ocean, the highest tops of the mountain, buried in rock, living off radioactive waste or even in near boiling water.
Other Random Cool Facts About Bacteria
Bacteria help make vinegar and it ferments the beans that end up making chocolate and coffee. They are used in mining; to eat through rocks. They can detect pollution and find landmines. They can also clean up oil spill and nuclear waste. Bacteria help in maintaining the oxygen level in the atmosphere and also in decomposition.
These are just few of the very many important uses of bacteria.
Conclusion
Bacteria is a really awesome part of our lives and the earth in general. Without them, we simply cannot even survive or live normally. So when next you think of or hear the word
Bacteria; I hope you can appreciate them a little bit more; other than just feeling disgusted.
Thank you for reading
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