Examples of Bacteria
Some examples of bacteria are
Lactobacillus, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, Bifidobacterium, Helicobacter
pylori, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. Read on, to know more about
common bacteria and some bacterial strains that are pathogenic to
humans.
Bacteria, singular bacterium, are minute microbes that play a
crucial role in the recycling of nutrients. They are simple,
unicellular prokaryotes, which vary in shape, size, mode of obtaining
nutrition, and other survival requirements. There is virtually no
habitat on earth, where bacteria are not present. Some gram-positive and
gram-negative bacteria have the adaptability to survive in the least
hospitable places, like hot springs and radioactive wastes. Here, we
shall take a look at some examples of bacteria.
Examples of Bacteria
Considering
the fact there are five nonillion bacteria on the planet, it is quite
difficult to study all of them. Different types of bacteria are
classified based on their characteristic features. Here, I am citing a
few bacteria examples, which are commonly present in and around our
environment.
Lactobacillus acidophilus - Found in dairy
products, it is an anaerobic bacteria that converts sugars and lactose
into lactic acid. This beneficial bacterium is added in food supplements
for use in therapeutic intervention.
Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria -
Another group of useful bacteria is the nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which
are crucial for plant growth. They help in assimilation of nitrogen from
the atmosphere and soil, and covert it into usable compounds for
plants.
Helicobacter pylori - It is a type of bacteria that
affects the digestive tract and causes medical symptoms. This
helix-shaped bacterial strain may cause inflammation of stomach lining
(stomach ulcer) and other digestive problems.
Stomach Bacteria -
Can you believe that the total number of body cells is lesser than that
of bacteria that inhabit the human body? Yes, it is true and they are
found in the skin, stomach, and other internal organs. Most of the
stomach bacteria are harmless.
Bifidobacterium - This
gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium makes up most of the gut flora. In
most cases, they are harmless and live in harmonious relationship with
other probiotic organisms. A few of them may cause allergic conditions.
Examples of Bacteria that Cause Disease
It
is hard to believe that the collective mass of tiny bacteria makes up
much of the biomass on earth. At the mere mention of bacteria, most
people visualize them as pathogens. The fact is that there are both
helpful and pathogenic bacteria. Some examples of bacteria that are
capable of causing diseases are listed below.
Staphylococcus
aureus - Classified under Staphylococcus bacteria, it is mostly present
in the nose, buttocks, and other skin areas. Excess multiplication of
this bacterium causes staph infections in humans.
Bacillus
anthrax: As this bacterial strain survives in presence of oxygen, it is a
type of aerobic bacteria. While a few other bacillus species live in
the soil without causing diseases, B. anthrax infection in humans leads
to anthrax disease.
Clostridium tetani - Refer to pathogenic
bacteria list, and you will come across C. tetani. This spore-forming
bacterium is found in the human gut, while spores are isolated from
soil. It is the causal agent for tetanus, which results due to infection
of wounds and skin injuries.
Streptococcus pyogenes - Usually
found in the skin, increased multiplication of S. pyogenes leads to
several diseases. While some of them are mild and treatable (e.g. strep
throat), others cause life-threatening medical complications
(necrotizing fasciitis).
Staphylococcus pneumoniae - The disease
pneumonia is resulted due to infection by bacteria, virus, and fungi.
However, infection by S. pneumoniae is the most common cause. Other
strains capable of causing pneumonia are Klebsiella pneumoniae and
Escherichia coli.
These were some of the examples of bacteria
which are commonly studied in microbiology. Some known bacterial
infections are bubonic plague, tetanus, cholera, leprosy, anthrax, and
tuberculosis. When a comparison is made between helpful and harmful
types of bacteria, types of beneficial bacteria outnumber the pathogenic
ones.
Read more at Buzzle:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/examples-of-bacteria.html