Question

We often call bacteria ‘germs’ and think of them as cells that makes us sick. Argue against this idea. Provide two ways in which bacteria are helpful.

Answer 1

Bacteria can help break things down such as helping in digestion, and can also be used in the production of certain foods like cheese (which is immensely helpful in the eyes of a cheese-lover like me). 

Answer 2

• Bacteria are unicellular prokaryotic organisms which are found in different environments.

• Bacteria are not only responsible for causing diseases but, some of them are also very useful to us. The two ways in which bacteria are useful for us are:

1. They aid in digestion- Our gut is enriched with bacteria and, they form what is known as the microbiotic flora of the gut. If this flora is disturbed, it is often associated with digestive problems and other diseases. One such example of a bacteria that aids in digestion is E.coli.

2. Production of antibiotics - antibiotics are the substances produced by bacteria that are used to kill bacteria and hence are very useful as they aid in controlling bacterial diseases. An example is Streptomyces.