Bacteriology is a fairly extensive science, which conceals the 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, as well as be an indispensable “component” in the preparation of well-known food products.
In fact, bacteria are incredibly important in the life of each of us. Moreover, we would not be alive if it were not for certain types of bacteria that play an important role in a number of vital functions of the human body, such as strengthening the immune system, improving skin function, digestion, and protecting our DNA!
However, they can also cause catastrophic serious illnesses, such as cholera, syphilis, anthrax, leprosy, tuberculosis, therefore, we can say 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 out of place 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 more than 1 million species of bacteria
All these bacteria, these billions of microscopic creatures, are found in every human body in the environment. They are one of the most difficult life forms, and some even survive in conditions of increased levels of radiation.
According to experts, if we put all the bacteria that exist on the planet next to each other, forming a series that extends into the universe, then it will be 10 million light-years.
9. 40 trillion bacterial cells in human microflora
The human body is full of bacteria, and in fact, in your body there are more bacteria than cells. Nevertheless, experts estimate their approximate number 100,000,000,000,000 units.
8. How much do all these bacteria weigh?
If we took all those bacteria in the body, which are in the intestines, and placed 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, rather severe pathologies begin to develop in a person.
7. Bacteria can make antibiotics useless
Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928. Prior to this turning point 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 World War II.
However, the tactics of bacterial survival makes them adapt in different ways to new conditions for them, so the threatening phenomenon that many reputable scientists now speak of is the resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to antibiotics.
The time interval from obtaining a new antibacterial agent to the occurrence of resistance to it in many varies from 1 year to 15 years. Already now there are bacteria against which there is no effective antibiotic.
6. Lactic acid bacteria are used to make products
For many years people have been using bacteria for their own good. 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 is the manufacture of dairy productsfor example, such as cheese, kefir or yogurt. A special sourdough, which contains a certain type of lactic acid bacteria, helps the final product achieve the proper taste, texture and consistency.
5. Bacteria and the smell of rain
Most of us find it hard to believe that bacteria smell, however, for example, the 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 fall to the ground, these spores burst, expanding in the air, causing what we call the "smell of rain."
4. The smell of sweat is also caused by bacteria.
Do you know that human sweat itself is odorless? In a sense, similar to what happens in the above paragraph, it is bacteria that cause the unpleasant smell of sweat.
Bacteria are concentrated in the skin (especially in the armpits, inguinal folds, etc.) and eat it with great intensity during sweating. That is why the excessive activity of sweat glands causes a characteristic odor, which in some people can be very harsh.
3. Bacteria can poison us
Under certain circumstances, bacteria can cause food poisoning.. When we cook, we kill almost all microorganisms, but some of them can withstand high temperatures. Others can withstand the cold, so to minimize the risk of an intestinal upset, make sure your steak is well cooked and the refrigerator is fully functional.
2. Pasteur proved the connection of bacteria and disease
There are a lot of diseases that bacteria cause. 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 huge and varies from such minor things as small acne on the face to severe forms of pneumonia.
For the first time, there was a direct connection between the existence of different types of bacteria and the occurrence of various infectious diseases in humans Louis Pasteur. Since 1857, he studied the processes of fermentation (lactic acid, alcohol, vinegar, butyric acid 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, maternity fever, rabies, chicken cholera, rubella pigs and so on. On the basis of the idea that he formed 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, 20 billion bacteria are found in the human oral cavity, which multiply continuously in accelerated form. In addition, it is known that there are between 500 and 650 different types of bacteria in the mouth. A healthy mouth with excellent oral hygiene contains between 1,000 and 100,000 bacteria on each tooth. If a person neglects brushing his teeth and rinsing the oral cavity, then in his mouth the number of bacteria can vary from 100 million to 100 billion units.
There are several ways to avoid bacteria problems in the oral cavity. 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.