6.7.1 Ecological Importance of Bacteria
The decomposition of dead organisms and wastes is carried out mostly by bacteria and soil fertility for the growth of plants. Humus also retains water, thus increasing water and fungi, which convert organic matter into humus.
It contains nutrients and increases the holding capacity of the soil. The leguminous plants have a mutualistic association with the bacteria (Root nodules) which transform nitrogen into nitrates.
Economic Importance of Bacteria:
Bacteria are both beneficial and harmful to humans.
Beneficial or Useful Bacteria:
Bioremediation and Decomposers: Bioremediation is the removal of environmental pollutants by using living organisms. Most bacteria act as decomposing agents, decomposing dead organisms and the wastes of animals to be reused by the plants and animals. Bacteria decompose sewage, garbage, dung, and stool and during this process produce methane gas or biogas, which is used as fuel.
Digestion: Some intestinal bacteria help to divide fats into ng this process
small droplets in cattle, others produce cellulase, (in the gut of termites and cattle) which digest cellulose and tle) which digest cellulose and starch.
Synthesis of Vitamins:
Many intestinal bacteria produce vitamins, B and K. Bacteria are cultured to produce vitamin B,, on a commercial scale.
Bacteria and Biogeochemical Cycles: Bacteria help in cycles of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and other nutrients through the biosphere.
Bacteria in industry:
Bacteria are used in the synthesis of vinegar (acetic acid), acetone, lactic acid, butanol (alcohol), several vitamins, and flavoring tobacco. They are also used in the leather and coffee industries,
In the food industry: Used in the butter.
Bacteria as Food:
Production of dairy products such as yogurt, cheese and
Bacteria as Food:
Provide most amino acids and vitamins to animals when enter the alimentary canal through partially digested plant materials. A single-cell protein is obtained from the large-scale growth of microorganisms such as bacteria.
Antibiotics:
Several antibiotics are obtained from the actinomycetes group, e.g. streptomycin, teramycin, and aureomycin.
Genetics: Bacteria are used for studying the principles of genetics, such as E. coli. Harmful Bacteria:
Bacterial Diseases in Plants:
Parasitic bacteria infect plants and cause various diseases, eg, fire blight in apples and pears, ring disease in potatoes, and crown galls.
Bacterial Diseases in Man:
Many human diseases are caused by bacteria; like tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, cholera, leprosy, typhoid fever, meningitis, sore throat, whooping cough etc.
Bacterial Diseases in Animals:
Chicken cholera, anthrax, TB, etc.
6.7.3 Role of Bacteria in Research and Technology
Nowadays bacteria are greatly used by human beings, for their beneficial role in research and technology. Bacteria play an important role in biological research, medicines, mining, production of biodegradable plastic, food processing, sewage treatments, etc.
Bacteria are used in the study of genetics and genetic engineering. These were used in the discovery of DNA as hereditary material, and semi-conservative replication to produce clones of the DNA of different genes of organisms.
Bacteria are used in the mining industry to extract metal from low grade to high grade, i.e., a bacterium Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, helps in the leaching of rock through the metal sulfides (copper sulfate becomes soluble in water, i.e., to 2Cu++ and SO). This bacteria and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans also help in the leaching of gold and uranium.
Antibiotics, vitamins, and many enzymes are commercially synthesized by recombinant bacteria. Moreover, many dairy products are also synthesized by bacteria.
Biodegradable plastic, (Poly ẞ hydroxybutyrate) is also produced by transgenic bacteria. This prevents pollution because ordinary plastic is not decomposed by microorganisms. Bacteria help in degrading harmful chemicals).
6.7.4 Bacterial Diseases in Human
Mics and pollutants (especially synthetic
Several diseases are caused by bacteria. Some of these are as under:
Cholera:
Symptoms: Cholera is the classical example of severe watery diarrhea. Vomiting also occurs in most people.
Causative agent:
It is caused by Vibrio cholera. The fecally contaminated water, food, and vegetables are the most common sources of this disease.
Treatment of cholera:
It depends on the rapid replacement of electrolytes, either orally or intravenously. The vaccine is also available.
Prevention:
It depends largely on adequate sanitation and the availability of safe, clean, water supplies.
Typhoid fever:
Symptoms: It is generally characterized by diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, in some cases intestinal rupture, internal bleeding, shock, and even death.
Causative agents:
It is caused by Salmonella typhi and can be contracted by animal sources. Treatment: Antibiotics can be used. Vaccine is also available, which is 50 to 70% effective.
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