Everyone knows that bacteria are the most ancient inhabitants of the planet Earth. They appeared, according to scientific evidence, from three to four billion years ago. And for a long time they were the only and full owners of the Earth. We can say that it all started with bacteria. Roughly speaking, the pedigree of all living organisms is from them. So the role of bacteria in human life and nature (its formation) is very significant.
Ode to bacteria
Their structure is very primitive - for the most part they are unicellular organisms, which, obviously, have changed little over such a very long time. They are unpretentious and can survive in extreme conditions for other organisms (heating to 90 degrees, freezing, rarefied atmosphere, deep ocean). They live everywhere - in water, soil, underground, in the air, inside other living organisms. And in one gram of soil, for example, hundreds of millions of bacteria can be detected. Truly almost perfect creatures that exist near us. The role of bacteria in human life and nature is great.
Oxygen makers
Did you know that, most likely, without the existence of these small organisms, we would simply suffocate? Because they (mainly cyanobacteria, capable of releasing oxygen as a result of photosynthesis), due to their multiplicity, produce a huge amount of oxygen entering the atmosphere. This is especially becoming relevant in connection with deforestation of strategically important forests for the whole Earth. And some other bacteria emit carbon dioxide, which is necessary for plant respiration. But the role of bacteria in human life and nature is not limited to this. There are several more “types of activities” for which bacteria can safely be given an honorary diploma!
Orderlies
In nature, one of the functions of bacteria is sanitary. They eat dead cells and organisms, disposing of unnecessary. It turns out that bacteria for all living things on the planet work as original wipers. In science, this phenomenon is called saprotrophy.
Substance cycle
And another important role is participation in the circulation of substances on a planetary scale. In nature, all substances pass from organism to organism. Sometimes they are in the atmosphere, sometimes in the soil, supporting a large-scale circulation. Without bacteria, these components could be concentrated somewhere in one place, and the great cycles would be interrupted. This happens, for example, with a substance such as nitrogen.
Lactic acid products
Milk is a long-known product for people. But its long-term storage became possible only recently with the invention of conservation methods and refrigeration units. And since the inception of cattle breeding, people have unknowingly used bacteria to ferment milk and produce fermented milk products for longer storage than milk itself. So, for example, kefir in dry form could be stored for months and used as hearty food for long crossings through desert areas. In this regard, the role of bacteria in human life is invaluable. Indeed, if these organisms are “offered” milk, they will be able to produce a lot of tasty and irreplaceable food products from it. Among them: yogurt, yogurt, fermented baked milk, sour cream, cottage cheese, cheese. Kefir, of course, is made mainly by fungi, but even bacteria are not involved here.
Great cooks
But the "food-forming" role of bacteria in human life is not limited to fermented milk products. There are many more familiar products that are produced using these organisms. This is sauerkraut, pickles (barrel) cucumbers, many pickles loved by many and other products.
The best "neighbors" in the world
Bacteria are the largest kingdom of animal organisms in nature. They live everywhere - around us, on us, even - inside us! And they are very useful "neighbors" for humans. For example, bifidobacteria strengthen our immunity, increasing the body's resistance to many diseases, help digestion and do a lot of other necessary things. Thus, the role of bacteria in human life as good "neighbors" is equally invaluable.
The production of the right substances
Scientists were able to work with bacteria in such a way that as a result they began to secrete substances necessary for humans. Often these substances are drugs. So the healing role of bacteria in human life is also great. Some modern medicines are manufactured by them or based on their action.
The role of bacteria in industry
Bacteria are great biochemists! In modern industry this property of them is widely used. For example, in recent decades, biogas production in some countries has reached serious proportions.
The negative and positive role of bacteria
But these microscopic unicellular can not only be human helpers and coexist with him in complete harmony and peace. The biggest danger they conceal is infectious diseases caused by bacteria. Settling within us, poisoning the tissues of our body, they are certainly harmful, sometimes fatal to humans. Among the most famous dangerous diseases caused by bacteria are plague and cholera. Less dangerous are tonsillitis and pneumonia, for example. Thus, some bacteria can pose a significant danger to humans if they are pathogenic. Therefore, scientists and doctors of all time try to “control” these harmful microorganisms.
Bacteria spoilage
If the meat is rotten, and the soup is sour, it’s probably the bacteria’s “handiwork”! They start there and actually “eat” these products up to us. Then for a person these dishes no longer represent nutritional value. It remains only to throw it away!
Summary
In answering the question of what role bacteria play in human life, both positive and negative points can be distinguished. However, it is obvious that the positive properties of bacteria are much more than negative. The thing is in the rational control of man over this numerous kingdom.