Bacteria
Good guys or bad guys...?
Skill 2: Explain three positive roles of bacteria.
Skill 2: Explain three positive roles of bacteria.
#1: Nature's Recyclers - decomposers
#1: Nature's Recyclers - decomposers
Since elements are used to build compounds in living things, they need to be broken back down, or recycled, after a living thing dies. Did you know that mushrooms aren't the only decomposers? Bacteria are also nature's recyclers, decomposing dead organisms and releasing the nutrients back into the soil to be used by plants.
Since elements are used to build compounds in living things, they need to be broken back down, or recycled, after a living thing dies. Did you know that mushrooms aren't the only decomposers? Bacteria are also nature's recyclers, decomposing dead organisms and releasing the nutrients back into the soil to be used by plants.
Do this:
Do this:
If a T rex finds you, he CHONPS you and eats you for dinner. Research the six most common elements found in living things. Hint: CHONPS is a mnemonic. Each of the six elements starts with one of those letters. For example, 'C' stands for carbon.
If a T rex finds you, he CHONPS you and eats you for dinner. Research the six most common elements found in living things. Hint: CHONPS is a mnemonic. Each of the six elements starts with one of those letters. For example, 'C' stands for carbon.
These six elements make up the majority of an organism, which bacteria decompose back into individual elements after the death of the organism. Remember, matter is neither created, nor destroyed. The elements just keep getting reused. In fact, you probably have some elements in your body that used to belong to a dinosaur!
These six elements make up the majority of an organism, which bacteria decompose back into individual elements after the death of the organism. Remember, matter is neither created, nor destroyed. The elements just keep getting reused. In fact, you probably have some elements in your body that used to belong to a dinosaur!
Interested in CSI (crime scene investigation) or forensics? Research the role of bacteria in this field of work. If you find something interesting, please share it. Here are a couple of articles to get you started.
Interested in CSI (crime scene investigation) or forensics? Research the role of bacteria in this field of work. If you find something interesting, please share it. Here are a couple of articles to get you started.
#2: Nitrogen fixers
#2: Nitrogen fixers
Nitrogen fixing bacteria are part of the nitrogen cycle. They take nitrogen gas from the air (N2), which filters down into the soil, and convert, or 'fix,' it into a form plants can use. Plants use the nitrogen to build amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and nucleic acids (like DNA). Watch this video on the nitrogen cycle. This process happens in a very similar manner in the oceans, as well.
Nitrogen fixing bacteria are part of the nitrogen cycle. They take nitrogen gas from the air (N2), which filters down into the soil, and convert, or 'fix,' it into a form plants can use. Plants use the nitrogen to build amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and nucleic acids (like DNA). Watch this video on the nitrogen cycle. This process happens in a very similar manner in the oceans, as well.
#3: Human uses
#3: Human uses
Learn more about human uses of bacteria by clicking on at least one of the articles or videos below.
Learn more about human uses of bacteria by clicking on at least one of the articles or videos below.
Food production
Food production
Some foods depend on bacterial cultures to be created, such as butter, cheese, yogurt, and bread. Read this article.
Some foods depend on bacterial cultures to be created, such as butter, cheese, yogurt, and bread. Read this article.
Insulin production
Insulin production
Some bacteria are genetically modified to contain human insulin production genes. They produce insulin for diabetics, who need injections because they can't make their own insulin. Check out this video.
Some bacteria are genetically modified to contain human insulin production genes. They produce insulin for diabetics, who need injections because they can't make their own insulin. Check out this video.
Oil spills
Oil spills
Bacteria are being developed to digest oil spills and plastics. Check out this article about how bacteria in algae can help.
Bacteria are being developed to digest oil spills and plastics. Check out this article about how bacteria in algae can help.