Most living organisms on the planet are not capable of independently producing organic matter necessary for their vital functions, which means they must use existing organics using special enzymes.
Autotrophs and heterotrophs
First of all, it is worth saying that the primary producers of organic elements, that is, those that contain carbon, are a large number of plants that use the photosynthesis process for this. This method of nutrition is called autotrophic.
Another way of producing organic substances is chemosynthesis, in which, using complex redox reactions, the organic substance is produced from sulfur, paraffins, proteins, and even hydrogen. This method of nutrition is common among colonies of microorganisms that live at great depths.
It is the organic substances produced by other organisms in the process of photosynthesis and chemosynthesis that feed organisms that use heterotrophic nutrition. Thus, heterotrophs occupy a higher position in the food chain, but at the same time they are dependent on other organisms.
Heterotrophs: saprophytes, osmotrophs and biotrophs
Among living organisms, various nutritional strategies are common. Autotrophic nutrition is inherent in highly organized multicellular organisms, while fungi and protozoa during the evolution gave preference to heterotrophic nutrition.
Heterotrophic nutrition includes several basic strategies for generating energy from ready-made organic matter.
For example, the way that fungi and some bacteria get energy from the environment is called osmotrophy, that is, getting nutrients directly through the cell wall. To do this, in fungi there is a set of various enzymes by which the substance is previously cleaved in the environment surrounding the fungal wall.
The upper steps of the food chain are occupied by biotrophs, which include animals that feed on plants, and animals that feed on other animals, i.e. predators.
Of great importance for the ecosystem of the entire planet are also bacteria of saprotrophs - in modern biology organisms, formerly known as saprophytes, are called.
Ammonification as the foundation of the food pyramid
To understand what the turnover of organic matter in nature is and what role microorganisms play in this complex process, it is worth answering the question of what bacteria are considered to be the orderlies of the planet.
Oddly enough this will sound, but one of the most important processes on the planet is ammonification, that is, decay. This is a rather complicated process from a chemical point of view that takes a long time.
For the implementation of this process, microorganisms that feed on organic matter, and therefore, any substance containing protein, are responsible. The importance of this process from a biological point of view ensured the widest distribution of ammonifying bacteria, which are found in large quantities in water, soil, food and living organisms. As soon as the bacterium enters in sufficient quantities on a suitable substrate, the rotting process starts.
Here are the bacteria that are considered the orderlies of the planet:
- spore-forming bacteria of the genus bacilli;
- clostridia;
- enterobacteria.
These microorganisms start the process of the most profound decomposition of proteins into various nitrogenous and nitrogen-free compounds, which, getting into water, air and soil, serve as food for plants, which in turn reuse them for the production of organic compounds, that is, growth and reproduction.
Having decided which bacteria are considered to be the orderlies of the planet, you should focus on the benefits that ecosystems bring them. At the same time, it is necessary to point out possible harm to economic and economic activity.
Why are bacteria considered saprotrophs as orderlies of nature
One of the most common chemical elements in nature is nitrogen, which is necessary for the growth of plants and living organisms. During their growth and development, plants consume large amounts of free nitrogen from soil, air and water. In this case, nitrogen binds and becomes inaccessible for further use.
After the death of the organism, this nitrogen is in a state in which it cannot benefit other plants. It is at this stage that bacteria come into play, the main feature of which is heterotrophic nutrition. Slowly, but effectively, they break down all the substances that make up organic matter into the simplest elements, which, thus, return to the circulation of nature.
Saprophytes are not only useful
Having found out what bacteria are considered to be the orderlies of the planet, we can also name the bacteria saprotrophs, which can cause harm to humans. Although the intestinal microflora of a person contains a certain amount of putrefactive bacteria, their excessive reproduction can harm a person.
The most harmful saprotrophs include eschericia, clostridium and streptococci.
In addition, some types of bacteria cause premature spoilage of food products, causing great economic harm.