The Invisible World of Bacteria

Bacteria!The Invisible

World Of…

What is Bacteria? Intro

Bacteria are microscopic organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. They are

considered one of the simplest things alive, with their main purpose to replicate and multiply. Not

all bacteria are harmful, but it’s best to stay away from it. This power point will educate you about everything you need to know about bacteria.

Hello! We’re going to learn all about me!

What do they look like?

Bacteria come in different shapes, but the three basic shapes are spheres (cocci), rods (bacilli), and spirals (spirilla). They’re smaller than even plant or animal cells, and they are one-celled organisms that come individually or in small groups or chains.

A regular bacteria cell has all the typical features: cytoplasm, which is surrounded by a cell membrane and a cell wall. Some bacteria (only some, not all!) even have a defense system as a gelatin-like capsule around it to prevent other cells from killing it. Some also have an outer layer, called a slime layer. This helps bacterium to attach and stick itself to surfaces easily. Some also have tails called flagella to help them move and propel themselves.

Some bacteria can have different colours, since they’re born with chlorophyll that make them naturally yellow, red, green, etc.

What do they look like? contd.

Here is a diagram of a typical bacteria cell:

Where do they like to live?

Bacteria live in a variety of different conditions, depending on the type of bacteria. Some prefer cold, whereas others might prefer hotter conditions. Bacteria can also live and survive in very extreme conditions enjoyably, like hot springs, salt water, hydrothermal vents, and even soil and water below 0˚ C. For e.g., bacteria that like hot areas are called thermophiles. They live in conditions up to 350˚ C, in hot springs, or hydrothermal vents. Basically, bacteria lives everywhere – in the air, in your food and drink, in the surfaces of everything you touch, etc.

This is a picture of a large community of thermophiles in

a hot spring from an island called Azores.

Scale bar is 1µm (1/1000th of an mm)

What harmful effects can bacteria have?

Many types of bacterium don’t harm you, and sometimes even help the body work properly. But, there are also tons more that can severely hurt you if it comes in contact. The effects of bacteria range from mild ones, to possibly even death. Here are some examples of what could happen:

• Food poisoning from spoilt food, leading to gastrointestinal upset – e.g. salmonella

• Infections, resulting in ill person, or if severe death – e.g. E. Coli

• Production of toxins that attack autonomic nervous system – e.g. botulinum, caused by Clostridium Botulinum.

• Give diseases, like Bacterial Vaginosis, Chlamydia, Strep throat, Celulitis, Osteomylitis, Syphilis, etc.

How can bacteria enter our body?

Bacteria can be inhaled through the

mouth or nose.

Bacteria can enter through cut or burns

in our skin.

Bacteria can be ingested through

the mouth.

Bacteria is on the surface of mostly everything you

touch.

How can we be a little more hygienic with bacteria?

Here are some useful ways:

• Cough into your elbow, not you hand, since you use your hand for many different things.

• Wash your hands regularly with soap to reduce the amount of bacteria on it.

• Keep food refrigerated so as to not spoil it (bacteria produces slower in colder conditions)

• Don’t put your hands in you mouth or rub our eyes without washing it.

• Scabs help protect you body from bacteria entering through your cuts – don’t pick them!

• Try to avoid touching dirtier places, like garbage, dusty floors and corners, etc

Some bacteria….

Brucella species Treponema palliduim Coxiella burnetii

Corneybacterium diphtheriae

Pseudomonas mallei Listeria monocytogenes

Bibliography:

• "Bacteria at Hydrothermal Vents." Dive and Discover. N.p., 2010. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.

• "5 Diseases Caused By Bacteria." Yahoo! Answers. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.

• "Harmful Effects of Bacteria?" Yahoo! Answers. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.

• "Bacteria." Biology4Kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.

• "What They Look Like." Microbe World. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.

• Glencoe Science Biology Book – From Plants to Microbes.

• "Photo Gallery - Bacteria." Oracle - ThinkQuest. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.

• Bacteria Cell Diagram. Digital image. Glencoe Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Dec. 2012.

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