Bacteria+-+MA

=Introduction= toc

There are over 5 nonillion (30 zeroes) bacteria around the world, whether they are harmful kinds of bacteria or the kinds of bacteria that actually help you. In order to get a huge population Bacteria would need energy first, bacteria can get energy in different ways. Bacteria has multiple protective layers which makes it hard to get rid of and can cause severe illnesses. Bacteria can cause illnesses like Lyme disease, Tuberculosis and Food Poisoning.

**How Do Bacteria Get Nutrients?** Bacteria can get nutrients in different ways, some bacteria are autotrophs they make their own food, and some other autotrophs capture and use the sun’s energy as plants do and others such as bacteria that live deep in mud do not use the sun’s energy. Instead these bacteria use the energy from chemical substances in their environment to make their food. Some bacteria are heterotrophs and cannot make their own food. (Padilla et al 62 - 63) Instead heterotrophic bacteria must consume other organisms or the food that other organisms make. Heterotrophic bacteria eat milk and meat or leaves on forest floor.

=Reproduction= Bacteria has different types of ways of reproduction for instance one is asexual reproduction and another is sexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction has a process called binary fission, in which one cell divides to form two identical cells. Asexual reproduction is a reproductive process that involves only one parent and produces offspring that are identical to the parent. On the other hand, sexual reproduction involves two parents who combine their genetic material to produce a new organism, from both parents. During a process called conjugation one bacterium transfers some of its genetic material into another through a thin, threadlike bridge that joins the two cells. After the transfer, the cells separate. As you can see, these two are different but also similar ways of reproduction of bacteria cells. These functions wouldn’t be too much without structures.

(In the video below you can see how fast bacteria reproduce)

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=Structure of Bacteria=

Most bacterial cells are surrounded by a cell wall. Inside the cell wall is the cell membrane - these structures are very important in order to protect bacteria. There are three protective layers for bacteria, cell wall ; cell membrane and the capsule. (Sullivan) The cell wall maintains the overall shape of a bacteria cell. The capsule protects the bacterial cell and is often associated with pathogenic bacteria - bacteria that can cause illnesses. (Sullivan) The capsule serves as a barrier against phagocytosis (- kind of like the ingestion of bacteria) by white blood cells. The genetic material contains the instructions for all of the cells functions. Flagellum is like feet it helps you move. Although these are key details about bacteria but illnesses that come from bacteria are important because they inform you about the good things bacteria can do and the not so good things.

=How Bacteria can harm us=

All of us may have experienced food poisoning and we may think it could be because of the types of food we eat, but what really gives us these illnesses is from bacteria. Symptoms that follow up with food poisoning are vomiting; cramps; diarrhea; and fever. Although this symptom is very serious it could very easily be prevented, you could prevent food poisoning by properly cooking and storing foods. Another illness caused by bacteria is tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is when you get mild fever; weight loss; night sweat; and when you cough simultaneously. This illness could be countered by staying away from people with active infections like vaccine. Furthermore, another illness caused by bacteria is lyme disease. Lyme disease is when you get a rash at the site of a tick bite, fever; body aches and joint swelling, again this is very easily prevented. You can prevent this by tucking pants into your socks and wearing long sleeved shirts. As you can see learning about what bacteria is certainly answers some questions that you have. =Conclusion= Bacteria are small but mighty. These little cells help us with our digestive system but can also be harmful. Bacteria can cause serious problems like lyme disease, tuberculosis, food poisoning and more. With 5 nonillion (30 zeroes) of these bacteria in the world, what will happen as they keep producing? Don’t underestimate bacteria by their size.

=References=

“Bacteria.” BrainPOP, www.brainpop.com/science/diversityoflife/bacteria/. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017.

“Bacteria.” CELLS alive!, James A. Sulivan, www.cellsalive.com/glossary_a-b.htm. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017.

“Bacteria.” Healthgrades, www.healthgrades.com/usearch?city=New%20York&state=NY&pt=40.730119%2C-74.000453&what=bacteria. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017.

Padilla, Michael J. Prentice Hall Science Explorer. Teacher’s ed., Needham, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.

Sommer, Cynthia V. “Bacteria.” The New Book of Knowledge. Scholastic Grolier Online, nbk.grolier.com/ncpage?tn=/encyc/article.html&id=a2002010- h&type=0ta. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017.

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