• Question: what is bacteria accutally are?

    Asked by Isaac T on 15 Jan 2025.
    • Photo: Larissa Melo Chicoski

      Larissa Melo Chicoski answered on 15 Jan 2025:

      Bacteria are very small organisms that have functions and behaviours within the life cycle. They are fundamental to life on Earth due to their positive impacts (so, they are not all bad, as some people think). However, some present challenges, such as the diseases they cause. There are beneficial bacteria, like those we use in the manufacturing process of antibiotics, vaccines and fermented foods (like cheese and yogurt) , for example. However, some can cause infections and less severe illnesses, such as a sore throat, or more severe ones that can lead to more serious illnesses.

Comments

  • Photo: melissau

    melissau commented on :

    For some animals, particularly ruminants, bacteria are essential parts of their digestive system as bacteria live within their gut and help to break down grass to release energy for the animal to live off.
    For humans we also have ‘good gut bacteria’ which are important for us to be healthy – if we have to have a course of antibiotics to treat an infection, we have to be aware they these may have unintended bad effects on these ‘good gut bacteria’ so if your doctor prescribes antibiotics they will sometimes ask you about whether you are sick or have diarrhoea while you’re taking them as an early indication of this kind of problem.