Saturday, September 13, 2008
Bacteria
Bacteria
by
Kelly Harrison, MS
Bacteria and fungi are amazing creatures. They live where we never could, they eat what we never could and they work and live together like we have yet to accomplish.
As a society we always see bacteria and fungi as invaders when in fact, bacteria were here long before we were and will most likely be here long after us. They have adapted to everything that was thrown at them, from the introduction of new life to our radiation mistakes.
Yes, bacteria make us feel bad when we are invaded by them but what makes us think they are trying to hurt us? Could they be there to help us? Why do we play the victim when it comes to them? Perhaps we made the choice to allow bacteria to take hold, perhaps we aren't as out of control as we would like to think we are. After all, isn't it strange how some people can be right in the middle of a swarm of bacteria and never get sick and others get sick at the drop of a pin?
Bacteria are experts at cleaning up things that should be ineatable. They eat radiation, sewage, feces, dead animals, cement, wood and pretty much anything else you can think of. If it weren't for bacteria, we wouldn't be able to live. Bacteria are the workhorses of our enviornment. They speed up the decomposition of formerly living things. Bacteria are essential to allowing plants to grow because they put nutrients into the soil after they break down dead animals and plants.
Bacteria are amazing at co-existing with other organisms. Most scientists believe that the mitrochondria in our cells are actually bacteria that decided to co-exist (or were forced into working) with a cell. The mitochondria is the actual powerhouse of the cell. If there were no mitochondria, we wouldn't be alive. Our cells use mitochondria to break down our food and to give energy back. In addition, we wouldn't be able to break down the food we eat if it were not for the bacteria in our intestines.
If bacteria are so helpful and great, why do they kill us too?
Well there are two schools of thought:
1. There are BAD (evil) bacteria that are out to get us.
This kind of thinking leads us to bioterrorism and the thought that we can use bacteria as "weapons".
It's all very SCARY!!! and we're all victims of the evil bacteria that has come to harm us.
2. The other school of thought says that our body's defenses are down in an effort to either clear toxins or to make us rest. Haven't you ever noticed that we all tend to get sick in times of stress? Have you ever noticed that when you go somewhere where you breathe in toxins, you're likely to get a sinus infection or a respiratory infection. Your body may in fact be using the bacteria to help clear up the toxins. Something to think about...
The fact of the matter is that amazing creatures. They are used to do so many things by higher organisms and we think nothing about it. They give us the ability to be alive. Treat them with a little respect.
As a society we always see bacteria and fungi as invaders when in fact, bacteria were here long before we were and will most likely be here long after us. They have adapted to everything that was thrown at them, from the introduction of new life to our radiation mistakes.
Yes, bacteria make us feel bad when we are invaded by them but what makes us think they are trying to hurt us? Could they be there to help us? Why do we play the victim when it comes to them? Perhaps we made the choice to allow bacteria to take hold, perhaps we aren't as out of control as we would like to think we are. After all, isn't it strange how some people can be right in the middle of a swarm of bacteria and never get sick and others get sick at the drop of a pin?
Bacteria are experts at cleaning up things that should be ineatable. They eat radiation, sewage, feces, dead animals, cement, wood and pretty much anything else you can think of. If it weren't for bacteria, we wouldn't be able to live. Bacteria are the workhorses of our enviornment. They speed up the decomposition of formerly living things. Bacteria are essential to allowing plants to grow because they put nutrients into the soil after they break down dead animals and plants.
Bacteria are amazing at co-existing with other organisms. Most scientists believe that the mitrochondria in our cells are actually bacteria that decided to co-exist (or were forced into working) with a cell. The mitochondria is the actual powerhouse of the cell. If there were no mitochondria, we wouldn't be alive. Our cells use mitochondria to break down our food and to give energy back. In addition, we wouldn't be able to break down the food we eat if it were not for the bacteria in our intestines.
If bacteria are so helpful and great, why do they kill us too?
Well there are two schools of thought:
1. There are BAD (evil) bacteria that are out to get us.
This kind of thinking leads us to bioterrorism and the thought that we can use bacteria as "weapons".
It's all very SCARY!!! and we're all victims of the evil bacteria that has come to harm us.
2. The other school of thought says that our body's defenses are down in an effort to either clear toxins or to make us rest. Haven't you ever noticed that we all tend to get sick in times of stress? Have you ever noticed that when you go somewhere where you breathe in toxins, you're likely to get a sinus infection or a respiratory infection. Your body may in fact be using the bacteria to help clear up the toxins. Something to think about...
The fact of the matter is that amazing creatures. They are used to do so many things by higher organisms and we think nothing about it. They give us the ability to be alive. Treat them with a little respect.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment