Bacteria1
As hard as it is to believe, bacteria (also known to scientists as Bacillus, thuringensis) are everywhere; on your hands, on door handles, there's even thousands bacteria on the period at the end of this sentence (That's how small they are). Bacteria have been around for about 3.5 billion years. They were the first life forms on earth and more numerous then any other species we know of. Yet, while they are extremely common, they are also very small. Bacteria can only be seen with microscopes and are usually less then one micron (0.00002 inches) in length. Before I can explain how bacteria affect our world, you need to know more about them. Basically, bacteria are numerous, unicellular organisms that don't contain a nucleus and consist of a capsule and a cell membrane made of peptidoglycan (that's a protein-sugar molecule). Like all cells, bacteria contain DNA, but the DNA in bacteria is different then other organisms, see it's arranged in a single circular chromosome while most cells have several rod shaped chromosomes. Some bacteria also have flagella. This assists the bacteria in moving by beating in a propeller-like motion. Bacteria can be classified in many different ways. Because of their simple cells structure they fit
Bacteria reproduce by the means of binary fission. In this process the single chromosome is doubled, the bacteria divides into two cells and each cell receives one chromosome. You end up with two new, identical bacteria cells. Yet, this form of reproduction does not create any type of genetic diversity (difference in genes) so to shuffle DNA bacteria perform several processes such as conjugation, transformation and transduction. In conjugation one bacteria attaches to another, generates a tube called a pilus, and transfers fragments of plasmid DNA. In transformation, bacteria take up fragments of DNA released into the soil or water from decomposing bacteria. Transduction involves the transfer of DNA between bacteria cells by a bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria.) By mixing genes in bacteria it allows them to develop new characteristics and stronger abilities to undergo harsh conditions. Bacteria also take part in symbiotic relationships in which they live as "partners" with other organisms. Some bacteria form a symbiotic relationship with animals, especially humans. While many people are unaware of it, there are bacteria throughout your body helping you to survive. Bacteria aid in digestion in humans and other animals. They produce nutrients and while assisting the body they get some food for themselves. Since both benefit from this symbiosis it can also be known as a mutualism. Of course there's so much more to bacteria other then how they look or what they consist of, bacteria is what holds our world together. While many people believe that bacteria are harmful and dangerous threats to health it is the exact opposite in some cases. When something dies (plant or animal it doesn't matter) bacteria is what decomposes (breaks it down into simpler material) it. What we consider rotting is just bacteria releasing carbon and other important nutrients out of the dead organism and into the air and soil. Aside from breaking down dead organisms they also decompose compost and sewage which helps create methane (a natural gas used as fue
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Approximate Word count = 1389
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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