HTML
Tiny, one-celled creatures, bacteria have been around for millions of years, even longer than humans. They get nutrients directly from their environment in order to live. Some bacteria humans need in order to get nutrients into the body; these normally live in the intestine. Other bacteria reproduce inside the body and cause different infections - sore throats, ear infections, cavities, and pneumonia, among others. Other bacteria are used in labs to make things like medicine and vaccines. Read on for more fun and interesting facts about bacteria! Bacteria are alive! They are the simplest form of life known, being made up of only one cell. They occur everywhere - bread, yogurt, dirt, and inside of humans!
Bacteria occur in all different shapes and sizes - ball shaped called spheres, rod-shaped, and spiral shaped.
Some bacteria live on the inside of animals like cows. These bacteria allow cows (and other animals that eat grass) to digest the material the grass is made of, called cellulose. Humans don't have the right bacteria, and so we can't eat grass!
Bacteria that enter human bodies that don't belong there invade human cells, stealing nutrients and releasing poisons. These bacteria can make people sick, can cause skin infections, and are generally very bad for people.
There are medications that can kill bacteria, which are called antibiotics. Most sickness (sore throats, runny nose, upset stomach) are caused by viruses, which antibiotics won't do anything against. If the doctor decides an illness is caused by bacteria, antibiotics can make the illness shorter, and not as bad.
The absolute best way to protect against getting sick with bacteria is washing hands, especially after using the restroom.
Bacteria can even live in food. Properly cooking food is a great way to kill off any bacteria that can live in it. Eating food that isn't cooked well enough can make people really sick.
Bacteria occur in all different shapes and sizes - ball shaped called spheres, rod-shaped, and spiral shaped.
Some bacteria live on the inside of animals like cows. These bacteria allow cows (and other animals that eat grass) to digest the material the grass is made of, called cellulose. Humans don't have the right bacteria, and so we can't eat grass!
Bacteria that enter human bodies that don't belong there invade human cells, stealing nutrients and releasing poisons. These bacteria can make people sick, can cause skin infections, and are generally very bad for people.
There are medications that can kill bacteria, which are called antibiotics. Most sickness (sore throats, runny nose, upset stomach) are caused by viruses, which antibiotics won't do anything against. If the doctor decides an illness is caused by bacteria, antibiotics can make the illness shorter, and not as bad.
The absolute best way to protect against getting sick with bacteria is washing hands, especially after using the restroom.
Bacteria can even live in food. Properly cooking food is a great way to kill off any bacteria that can live in it. Eating food that isn't cooked well enough can make people really sick.