Why Bacteria Is Nothing To Be Afraid Of
We have been trained by our society to banish any type of bacteria from our lives. There are thousands of products labeled “antibacterial” and “kills 99.9 percent of all germs.” We use gels on our hands to kill the grime and spray our houses down with bleach to wipe away the bacteria. Most people would say the ideal living situation would be one that was free from dirt, dust, grime and grit, and although there is no doubt that living in a clean environment is healthy, living in a sterile one may actually be dangerous.
Bacteria, as gross as we may think it is, in some cases, may actually be beneficial to your health. Not only does it help strengthen our immune systems, but they are used to power technology and fight crime. Below are a few of these amazing microbes and what they can do to help us in our lives.
Bacteria Supports Life
Basically the base of all biological life begins with rhizobium, a type of bacterial species. It lives in symbiotic relationships with plant life. This type of bacteria creates nitrogen-fixing root nodules on legumes while they are still in their growing plant stage. The nitrogen allows the plant to build proteins that animals end up consuming and converting into animal proteins. It is thought that life would be not able to exist with this type of bacteria.
They Clean Up Decomposing Waste
Certain bacteria are responsible for decomposing bodies and plants after they pass away. They are important because in nature, when animals die, these bacteria are able to break down the bodies and convert the corpses into nutrients and energy for living plants and animals.
It Can Help Solve Crimes
There are different bacteria that live on all the different people in the world. They can usually be identified easily by checking fingerprints, which can link a specific person to a certain person, place or thing. This is particularly helpful in homicide investigations. Bacteria on the deceased can also help detectives understand the means of which the victim died and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
It Saves Lives
Ever since the discovery of the Penicillium fungus, people’s lives have been saved due to its help. It was first noticed to kill staph, an infection that has the potential to be fatal when left untreated. Now, penicillin is a staple in any hospital, ready on hand to treat any patient.