Paleontology is the science of the form of life existing in former geologic periods, as represented by their fossils.
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Bacteria are ubiquitous one-celled organisms, spherical, spiral, or rod-shaped and appearing singly or in chains, comprising the Schizmycota, a phylum of the kingdom Monera (in some classification systems the plant class Schizmycetes), various species of which are involved in fermentation, putrefaction, infectious diseases, or nitrogen fixation.
- Bacteria play major role in decomposition, agriculture and industries.
- They are a part of human life.
- There are both beneficial and harmful effects of bacteria.
In decomposition:
They decompose dead plant and animal wastes, such as fallen leaves, and animal biological wastes.
Production of organic manure:
Manure is created by decomposing animal wastes such as dung and plant wastes.
Treatment of sewage:
Anaerobic decomposition by bacteria is used to convert wastes in sewage water to energy and purify the water.
Production of biogas:
It contributes to biogas plants by converting manure and household wastes to methane, which can then be utilized as fuel.
Nitrogen fixing through biological means
Rhizobium aids in symbiotic nitrogen fixation, whereas Nitrosomonas, Nitrobacter, and Nitrococcus aid in nitrogen conversion from one form to another.
Importance in medicine, industry, and biotechnology
Microbes are a source of antibiotics and vaccines in human and veterinary medicine for the treatment and prevention of infectious illnesses.
Dairy:
Curd and other milk products are mass-produced in factories using Lactobacillus curdling of milk.
Antibiotics:
Antibiotics are microorganism-produced chemicals that kill or inhibit other bacteria and are used to treat infectious illness. Molds like Penicillium and bacteria like Streptomyces and Bacillus create antibiotics in nature.
Vaccines
Vaccines are microorganism-derived compounds used to immunize against illness. Vaccines are often derived from the microorganisms that cause infectious illness. To immunize against diphtheria, a toxoid form of the diphtheria toxin is employed, and portions of Bordetella pertussis cells are utilized to vaccinate against pertussis (whooping cough). Smallpox, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccinations have almost eliminated these illnesses in places of the world where they have been used.
Biotechnology
Microbiology contributes significantly to biotechnology, a branch of science that applies microbial genetics to biological processes in order to produce valuable molecules. Microorganisms are critical components of recombinant DNA technology and genetic engineering. Microbial cells, microbial DNA, and microbial enzymes are important technological tools.
Many biological products and biological processes have genetic information that may be introduced into microorganisms to genetically engineer them to produce a chemical or perform an activity. The genes can come from any biological source, including humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms. This allows for the microbial production of meals, fuels, enzymes, hormones, diagnostic agents, medications, antibiotics, vaccines, antibodies, natural pesticides and fertilizers, and a variety of other chemicals helpful in our civilization and society. Furthermore, the microbial genes that encode for these chemicals, the most of which are unknown, represent a wealth of knowledge for use in medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, food science, and biotechnology.
Harmful effects:
- Causes diseases to plants and animals. Many human diseases are caused by bacterias.
- Spoilage of food.
Bacteria have numerous ecological and biological importance.