Bacteria Rules

Bacteria Rules

We're all settlers. Bacteria was here first. This is their domain, so it
shouldn't be too surprising that they live everywhere, even on us.
Especially, on us and every other organic host they can attach themselves
to and live symbiotically. Bacteria was first discovered by a 16th century
Dutch biologist. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek through a magnifying glass was
able to see hundreds of tiny creatures swimming around. He called these
little living organisms animalcules.

Some of them have proved lethal and can cause human diseases.

"Staphylococcus aureaus, for example, is one strain of bacteria commonly
found in the soil that has already grown dangerously resistant to even
strong antibiotics like methicillin (Science File, 2002), and if it or
other more common crop bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli are able to
colonize the harsh conditions of the human gastrointestinal system, the
resulting food poisoning can be potentially quite hazardous..."
(Caroline Boeke, Rebecca Josowitz, Katherine Loya, and David Brock - The
American Biology Teacher - October 1, 2004 - Stalking Antibiotic-Resistant
Bacteria in Common Vegetables)

"Bacteria are continually evolving into antibiotic-resistant strains due
to their extraordinary ability to adapt to changes in their environment.
Human efforts to create bactericidal substances are constantly thwarted by
bacteria which "learn" how to survive despite the most innovative
antibiotic mechanisms. Gram-positive cocci, such as staphylococcus aureus,
streptococcus pneumoniae, and enterococcus predominate as a cause of
nosocomial and community-acquired infections. These bacteria deftly
acquire resistance to frequently used drugs through their own genetic
mutations. The development of resistant bacteria occurs most frequently in
the hospital environment. S. aureus and enterococci are the most commonly
isolated bacteria causing nosocomial infections (Jeljaszewicz, Mlynarczyk,
& Mlynarczyk, 2000). S. pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is the most commonly
identified bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia, otitis media,
and meningitis.  (Whitney et al., 2001). (Teri Capriotti, MedSurg Nursing,
June 1, 2001)

*  Jeljaszewicz, J., Mlynarczyk, G., & Mlynarczyk, A. (2000). Antibiotic
    resistance in gram positive cocci. International Journal of
    Antimicrobial Agents, 16(4), 473-478.

*  Whitney, C.G., Farley, M.M., Hadler, J., Harrison, L.H., Lexau, C.,
    Reingold, A., Lefkowitz, L., Cieslak, P.R., Cetron, M., Zell, E.,
    Jorgensen, J.H., & Schuchat, A. for the Active Bacterial Core
    Surveillance Program of the Emerging Infections Program Network.
    (2001). Increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant streptococcus
    pneumoniae in the United States. The New England Journal of Medicine,
    34(26), 1917-1923.

Most, however live off of the food they harvest and they go about their
business in you often imparting a benefit to themselves and their host.

Every effort of humans to destroy them has resulted in their mutation,
survival and continued multiplication. They can survive anything we throw
at them and they will surely survive long after we are gone. The part they
play in the survival of life - and to humanity and the planet has been
essential.

They are the single most prevalent life on the planet. They are so
ubiquitous, you can take one small gram of soil and it will contain more
bacteria than there are human beings on the planet.  They have been
evolving on the planet for over 3.5 billion years and have adapted to
every imaginable environment. Archaebacterium live on sulfuric acid and no
light in deep thermal vents and in stomach linings. They live on your
skin. They're everywhere.

Bacteria are prokaryote cells; they have a membrane cell wall and their
cell contains a solution called cytoplasm. In this cytoplasm are enzymes,
ribosomes and many of the same same constituent parts as nucleated cells
in mammals and they, like us, replicate and self maintain themselves
(Some have outer walls and some have no walls). The distinguishing feature
of bacteria is that they have no nucleus. Their DNA is a single,
multifolded chromosome; a nucleoid - which is in the form of a circular,
closed loop - although in some it may be linear. All bacteria are one
species; they are said to have many strains.

Most bacteria are asexual and reproduce by binary fission: the DNA
attaches to a cell membrane and divides in half. Both of the resulting
bacteria are identical twins. They have no sex; no male or female parts.
And there are 20,000 strains of bacteria that we have counted.
DNA chromosomes determine behavior and other.

Passing bacteria exchange genetic material with each other.
Transformation is a genetic exchange of broken bits of DNA which float
around in a cellular environment which is aqueous. These pieces DNA are
absorbed by bacteria from each other, alter genes and get passed on.
Bacteria move around by floating in their environment or have flagella
which are hair like appendages which provide propulsion. Some bacteria
secret a mucus upon which extended pseudopods acquire mobility.

"Bacteria cells produce DNA and RNA (nucleic acids), enzyme proteins,
fats, carbohydrates, and other complex carbon chemicals. Protist, fungi,
animal, and plant bodies all produce these and other substances as well.
But most importantly, and amazingly, any living body produces itself."
(Lynn Margulis & Dorion Saga, What is Life? 95)

"Research shows that the amazing longevity, resilience, and survival rates
of bacteria is due in part to their ability to adapt to their environment.
If a new presence affects their survival, the change is incorporated into
the DNA. A few progeny survive that can deal with the change, and then
the change is passed down to their progeny. (Singleton, 92) - (from
Bacteria in Control of Life, Death, & Evolution?, a dissertation by
Phyllis Abbott, Ph.D)

J. Postgate, Microbes and Man, 3rd ed, Cambridge U Press 92, states there
are "200 to 500 pounds of microbes to every acre of good agricultural
soil" and constitute 90% of all living material on the planet. They also
constitute about 90% of the cells in the human body. We have been very
successful in altering our environment rather than adapting to it, however
bacteria have survived far longer than any nucleated cellular organisms
(eukaryotes) and are the most successful life on the planet.

"The energetic maintenance of unity while components are continuously or
intermittently rearranged, destroyed and rebuilt, broken and repaired in
metabolism, and it requires energy. In accordance with the second law
(Thermodynamics), autopoietic self-maintenance preserves or increases
internal order only by adding to the `disorder' of the external world, as
wastes are excreted and heat is vented. All living beings must metabolize
and therefore all must create local disorder; useless heat, noise, and
uncertainty. Thi is autopoietic behavior, reflecting the autopoietic
imperative required for any organic being that lives, that continues to
function." (Margulis & Sagan)

Margulis and Sagan suggest that organisms do not live apart from their
environment as is the traditional view, that the environment is mostly
static, merely an "unliving backdrop." They say, to the contrary, all life
is autopoietic and interconnected.  They write: "Organic beings and
environment ... interweave. Soil, for example, is not unalive. It is a
mixture of broken rock, pollen, fungal filaments, ciliate cysts, bacterial
spores, nematodes, and other microscopic animals and their parts." They
say, "Independence is a political, not a scientific, term.  Anotherwords,
everything is alive, interacting on each other in nature. It is all
connected. This is the Gaia vision of life and the planet.

Hank Roth

POINTER: http://inyourface.info/