Bacteria+-+EB

= Introduction = Imagine, tiny microorganisms that cover every surface, even inside your body. You may think “Eww, gross,” but really these cells are more like humans than you think. Just like humans, bacteria have many different structures that help keep them alive. Good and Bad bacteria also exist, similar to the way there are good and bad humans. Furthermore, these cells have the same main goal in life as we do, to survive. These cells may be small but they have a large impact on the world we live in. toc = What are Bacteria? = Bacteria are simple organisms that are made of one cell. Human eyes alone cannot see bacteria because they are so small. Most bacteria range from 0.3 to 2 microns, a micron being 1/25400 of an inch. They live almost everywhere and have been around for over 3 ½ billion years. There are thousands of species of bacteria and some of those can be dangerous to humans. But most are not harmful at all. = Structures of Bacteria = Bacteria have many different structures inside and out, and all of them have an important purpose. The outer layer, **//capsule//** or slime layer, protects the bacteria from harm and helps the bacteria attach to hard surfaces. Neighboring the capsule, laying directly inside of it, is the **//cell// //wall//**. The cell wall maintains the bacteria’s shape, it does not control what enters and leaves the cell like a plant cell cell wall does. Finally, the last outside layer is the **//plasma membrane//**, this layer controls what nutrients and waste leave and enter the cell. Now we’re inside, bacteria is filled with a gel like liquid called **//cytoplasm//**. Inside the cytoplasm **//ribosomes//** float around. Ribosomes create proteins that the bacteria needs. Also inside the cytoplasm is the **//nucleoid//**. Unlike other cells bacteria do not have a nucleus, these kind of cells are called **//Prokaryotic.//** The nucleoid like the nucleus contains the cell’s DNA. In the nucleoid the DNA is free floating and in the nucleus the DNA is wrapped in a membrane. Another thing that is different about bacteria cells and other cells is that they have **//flagellum, pili,//** and //**fimbriae**//. All 3 of these things are like tentacles that help the cell move, attach to other things, and to exchange DNA. = Helpful vs. Harmful =

Different kinds of bacteria do different things. Some give you sickness and others keep you alive. But don't worry about this harmful bacteria everywhere you go, in fact according to the article "Understanding Microbes in Sickness and Health," by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious, "Only 1% of bacteria are harmful to humans." This 1% can give you many different diseases such as, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and whooping cough. You can prevent this bad bacteria by washing your hands, not sharing certain objects with other people, and cleaning yourself daily. Scientists have also discovered a type of medicine called an **//antibiotic //** that kills the harmful bacteria in your body. But remember most bacteria are good. Some bacteria live inside you. I know this may sound disgusting but these bacteria actually help you. Certain bacteria live in your stomach and intestines, these bacteria help break down the food you eat. Another good bacteria helps break down animal feces and carcasses. Without bacteria these gross things would probably stay there forever unless someone moves them to another place.

= A Bacteria's Life = Even though Bacteria are very simple, they eat, move, and reproduce just like the average human. Bacteria can eat in two different ways. They can make their own food, these bacteria are //**autotrophic.** //Bacteria that feed on molecules produced by other organisms are **//heterotrophic. //**Bacteria move using various techniques. Usually, bacteria use their flagellum as a whip to push themselves in the direction they want to move in. If the bacteria is flagellum-less it wriggles around to move. Bacteria can also move by using help from others almost like a human using a taxi. They attach themselves to pretty much anything that moves, clothing, animals, humans, and even other bacteria.The most important thing in a bacteria’s life is reproduction. They can replicate so fast,in perfect conditions, a billion bacteria can be produced in 10 hours. Bacteria can reproduce in 3 main ways, ** //Binary fission, Conjugation, and Transformation// **.

media type="youtube" key="gEwzDydciWc" height="116" width="334" align="left"Binary fission happens when a cell reproduces **//asexually//** or by itself. During Binary fission the cell separates into two cells that have the same exact DNA. See the video to the right to see this in action. Conjugation is when a direct transfer of DNA from a “male” to a “female”, kind of like how a human would reproduce. The last way bacteria reproduces in transformation, this is when one bacteria dies and another one comes along and picks up it's dead friend DNA creating a new bacteria species.

__This video shows bacteria reproducing asexually.__

= Conclusion =

Bacteria aren't so different from you and me. They have different structures, are good and bad, and have special survival methods like we do. Bacteria aren't as terrible as you think. So the next time you are disgusted by the thought of bacteria everywhere just think about how 99% of these bacteria are good and needed on earth.

= References = Works Cited

“Bacteria Basics - They Are Alive!” Biology 4 Kids. Andrew Rader Studios, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2016. .

“Bacteria Cell.” Sheppard Software. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2016. .

Form and Function: Bacteria are the Simplest Organisms Peter Matulavich Productions, 2002. Video Segment

Discovery Education. Web. 17/2/2016. .

Olsen, Gary J. “Bacteria.” World Book Student. World Book, 2016. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.

Scishow. Attack of the Super Bugs. Youtube. Youtube, 17 Apr. 2014. Web. 24 Feb. 2016. . “What Percentage of Bacteria Are Harmful?” Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2016. .