The Role of Bacteria
How bacteria affects our environment
Bacteria!
Bacteria are unicellular organisms that cannot be seen by the naked eye - one must use a microscope to see them. Bacteria covers nearly all surfaces in our environment and on our planet, and they can be harmful or beneficial.
Bacteria in the Environment
Bacteria plays an active role in the cycle of life and in the development of the environment and ecosystem. Many dead organisms are broken down by bacteria. If not for these bacteria, the ecosystem would be polluted with dead cells and dead organisms. For example, bacteria can break down dead trees and get their nutrients from them. There are also certain bacteria in the ground that can supply plants with nitrogen, which is crucial to their survival.
Soil rich with beneficial bacteria enhances growth!
Beneficial Bacteria
Certain types of bacteria are beneficial for the environment. They can enhance the productivity, growth and health of the plants. If these bacteria are present in the soil, then plants will get plenty of oxygen for respiration. Decomposers in the soil, or bacteria, help in cycling of minerals like carbon and sulfur. They are also helpful in making medicines, such as drugs, antibodies and hormones.
Harmful Bacteria
However, as we all well know, there are bacteria that are potentially very harmful and can cause disease and infection. This leads to decreasing an organism's chance of survival, and it also has potential to cause a disastrous epidemic in the population of said organism, giving it further potential to possibly spread to other species.