Top 10 interesting facts about bacteria

Bacteriology is a rather extensive science that contains a concentration of a huge amount of information about the structure and functioning of different types of bacteria. Bacteria live in the body of every healthy person, surround us in everyday life and in nature. They can become causative agents of serious diseases, and also be an obligatory “component” in the preparation of well-known food products.

In fact, bacteria are incredibly important in the life of each of us. What’s more, we wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for certain types of bacteria that play an important role in a range of vital functions in the human body, such as boosting the immune system, improving skin function, digestion, and also protecting our DNA!

However, they can also cause catastrophic serious illnesses such as cholera, syphilis, anthrax, leprosy, tuberculosis, so it can be said that bacteria are responsible for the death of about 2 million people a year.

One way or another, they have a huge impact on our lives, so it would not be superfluous for us to know as much as possible about them.

We bring to your attention a list of the 10 most interesting facts about bacteria for children, students in grade 7: the incredible discoveries of scientists and doctors.

10 There are over 1 million types of bacteria

All these bacteria, these billions of microscopic creatures, are in the body of every person in the surrounding space. They are one of the most complex life forms, and some even survive high levels of radiation.

According to experts, if we put all the bacteria that exist on the planet next to each other, forming a row that extends into the universe, then it will turn out to be 10 million light years in size.

9. 40 trillion bacterial cells in the human microflora

The human body is full of bacteria, and there are actually more bacteria than cells in your body. Nonetheless, experts estimate their approximate number at 100 units.

8. How much do all these bacteria weigh

If we took all those bacteria in the body that are in the intestines, and put them on the scales, then we would get a mass of about 1,5 kg. In any case, it is important to note that their presence is incredibly important for the body. In their absence, a person begins to develop quite severe pathologies.

7. Bacteria can make antibiotics useless

Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928. Prior to this breakthrough discovery for all mankind, a huge number of people died from bacterial infection of the body (especially during wars). A small scratch could lead to death.

Since the discovery of penicillin, the era of antibiotics has begun. Thanks to the mass production of such drugs, a huge number of lives of soldiers and civilians were saved during the Second World War.

However, the survival tactics of bacteria force them to adapt in different ways to new conditions for them, so the threatening phenomenon that many reputable scientists are now talking about is the resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to antibiotics.

The time interval from obtaining a new antibacterial agent to the emergence of resistance to it in many varies from 1 to 15 years. There are already bacteria against which there is no effective antibiotic..

6. Lactic acid bacteria are used to make food

Humans have been using bacteria to their advantage for many years. At first this happened by observation (when nothing was known about the existence of bacteria), but today science is able to give an accurate explanation of these biological processes.

Successful examples of the successful use by humans of the beneficial properties of bacteria are the manufacture of fermented milk products.such as cheese, kefir or yogurt. A special starter that contains a specific type of lactic acid bacteria helps to achieve the proper taste, texture and consistency in the final product.

5. Bacteria and the smell of rain

Most of us find it difficult to believe that bacteria have a smell, however, for example, that characteristic smell that we can smell when it rains is caused by bacteria. In particular, these are actinobacteria, which, at moderately high temperatures and in an environment moistened with rainwater, emit tiny spores. When raindrops hit the ground, these spores rupture, expanding in the air, causing what we call “the smell of rain.”

4. The smell of sweat is also caused by bacteria.

Did you know that human sweat itself is odorless? In a way, similar to what happens in the above paragraph, Bacteria are what cause bad breath.

Bacteria are concentrated in the skin (especially in the armpits, inguinal folds, etc.) and feed on it with great intensity during sweating. That is why excessive activity of the sweat glands causes a characteristic odor, which in some people can be very pungent.

3. Bacteria can poison us

Under certain circumstances, bacteria can cause food poisoning.. When we cook food, we kill almost all microorganisms, but some of them can withstand high temperatures. Others can handle the cold, so to minimize the risk of intestinal upset, make sure your steak is well done and your refrigerator is fully functional.

2. Pasteur proved the link between bacteria and disease

There are many diseases caused by bacteria. Some of them respond well to drug therapy and do not pose too much threat to human life, while others can be deadly.

Bacteria that provoke the development of various ailments in the human body are called pathogenic. In any case, the spectrum of bacterial diseases known to modern medicine is vast, ranging from minor things like small pimples on the face to severe forms of pneumonia.

For the first time, Louis Pasteur admitted the existence of a direct connection between the existence of different types of bacteria and the occurrence of various infectious diseases in humans.. Since 1857, he studied the processes of fermentation (lactic acid, alcohol, acetic, butyric, discovered by him). Also, this talented scientist laid the scientific foundations of winemaking, brewing and other areas of the food industry.

But, the most important thing is that in his work he investigated a number of contagious diseases of animals and humans, among them anthrax, puerperal fever, rabies, chicken cholera, rubella of pigs, and so on. On the basis of his idea of ​​artificial immunity, he proposed a preventive method that has remained relevant today. Of course, we are talking about mass vaccination.

1. bacteria in the mouth

According to scientists, On average, there are 20 billion bacteria in the human oral cavity, which multiply continuously in an accelerated form.. In addition, between 500 and 650 different types of bacteria are known to reside in the mouth. A healthy mouth with excellent oral hygiene contains between 1000 and 100 bacteria on each tooth. If a person neglects brushing his teeth and rinsing his mouth, then the number of bacteria in his mouth can vary from 000 million to 100 billion units.

There are several ways to avoid problems with bacteria in the mouth. The first is, of course, the traditional brushing of teeth (a magnificent invention of the ancient Egyptians). The second is a thorough rinse after each meal.