Uses and harms of bacteria and virus

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Uses and harms of bacteria and virus

Harmful bacteria

Pathogenic Bacteria

These bacteria cause great losses to plant and animal popula­tion by causing several diseases.

Reduction of Soil-fertility/”>Soil fertility

Some facul­tative anaerobic bacteria are available mostly in the Oxygen deficient soil which reverse the nitrifying process, thereby causing the loss of a part of its combined nitrogen. They break down the nitrates in a stepwise manner either to ammonia through assimilatory nitrate reduction or to N2 through dissimilatory nitrate reduction.

Spoilage of Food

In favourable temperature and humidity, bacteria can grow luxuriantly in many food materials. They change the flavour, appearance and smell of food.

Different species of Streptococcus, Micro­coccus and Lactobacillus cause spoilage of milk and different milk products. The exotoxin pro­duced by Clostridium botulinum causes botulism disease showing the symptoms like swelling of tongue, double vision and respiratory distur­bances.

Pollution of Water

Some bacteria pol­lute water and make it unsuitable for drinking. Diseases like cholera (Vibrio cholerae), typhoid fever (Salmonella typhi) and bacillus dysentery (Shigella dysenteriae) are commonly transmitted by drinking water.

Biological Warfare

Bacteria causing dis­eases like anthrax, black-leg, tuberculo­sis, etc., are used as secret war-agents.

 

 

Useful bacteria

Increase Soil Fertility

Plants do not have the efficiency of direct utilisation of huge amount (78%) of atmospheric nitrogen. However, some free-living and symbiotic bacteria are able to fix free nitrogen into nitrogenous compounds.

Industrial Importance

From ancient time men have used Microorganisms in the preparation of their food, drinks etc.

The lactic acid bac­teria are used in the preparation of butter, cheese, curd etc. The curd is prepared from milk by bacteria in two steps. They convert lactose sugar to glucose and then glucose to lactic acid, which sours the milk and coagulates the milk protein (casein) forming curd. Some bacte­ria used in Dairy are Lactobacillus plantarum, L. acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, Streptococcus lactis, S. ther­mophilic etc.

Clostridium aceto- butylicum and Acetobacter aceti, the acetic acid bacteria are used in the conversion of alcohol to acetic acid, the vinegar. This was done in wooden vats and takes several weeks to complete the process.

Biological Control of Insect

Many bacteria like Bacillus thuringiensis etc., secrete proteins which are highly toxic to caterpillars and insects belonging to Lepidoptera. They are, however, non­toxic to other animals and also plants, thereby the bacteria are used as ideal agent for biocontrol of insect.

Degradation of Petroleum

Many bacte­ria like Pseudomonas, Micrococcus, Candida and Achromobacter are able to degrade petroleum hydrocarbon in water from different vehicles, thereby they check pollution.

Decomposition of Dead Animals: Some bacteria are, able to decompose the dead organic matters into inorganic form which mix with soil and increase the soil fertility. These inorganic sub­stances are then absorbed by the plants as nutrients.

Uses and harms of virus

Usefull viruses

When most people think of viruses, they begin to recall episodes of colds and flu and symptoms associated with them.  They identify viruses as harmful Molecules flowing through their body, untreatable by antibiotics, meaning that the person will have to ride it out and treat the symptoms associated with the virus.  Surprisingly, not all viruses, are harmful.  Some viruses are good and serve a positive purpose.

Viruses are little microbes or organisms. They are not cells. Viruses are made up of protein, and to survive they must have a host.  They are parasites that live off of other living things.  Viruses are also capable of hibernating until they can find a host.  They spread easily by exiting the body through sneezing or body fluids.  They can be airborne or lay resting on the side of a sink or toilet.  Protection against viruses is one of the reasons that handwashing is paramount.

The cowpox virus is considered as a helpful virus.  Dr Edward Jenner discovered that when people became infected with cowpox, they did not get a more deadly virus called smallpox.  Smallpox was responsible for many deaths and scarring when he discovered cowpox as a useful virus in 1796.  Because of Dr. Jenner’s work, people are familiar with vaccinations.  Because of the discovery of cowpox creating an immunity in people, Vaccines were created that have ended smallpox throughout the world.

Studies have shown that when an infant is born, he or she has viruses in his or her stomach that help the baby to stay healthy.  The viruses also travel through the intestinal system providing protection from harmful viruses.  However, scientists have discovered that the infant has not one virus but a vast diversity of helpful viruses (2015).

Phages are viruses that can be found in mucus.  Mucus plays a role in humans by capturing bacteria and foreign substances that could harm the human body.  Phages attack harmful bacteria and destroy it.  Also, phages are also found in human saliva and have molecules similar to antibodies.  At present, researchers are taking a second look at the benefit of helpful viruses in the human body and as protection against harmful viruses.

Harmful viruses

Common human diseases caused by viruses include the common cold, the flu, chickenpox and cold sores. Serious diseases such as Ebola and AIDS are also caused by viruses. Many viruses cause little or no disease and are said to be “benign”. The more harmful viruses are described as virulent. Viruses cause different diseases depending on the types of cell that they infect. Some viruses can cause lifelong or chronic infections where the viruses continue to reproduce in the body despite the host’s defence mechanisms. This is common in hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections. People chronically infected with a virus are known as carriers. They serve as important reservoirs of the virus. If there is a high proportion of carriers in a given Population, a disease is said to be endemic.

There are many ways in which viruses spread from host to host but each species of virus uses only one or two. Many viruses that infect plants are carried by organisms; such organisms are called vectors. Some viruses that infect animals, including humans, are also spread by vectors, usually blood-sucking insects. However, direct transmission is more common. Some virus infections, such as norovirus and rotavirus, are spread by contaminated food and water, hands and communal objects and by intimate contact with another infected person, while others are airborne (influenza virus). Viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are often transmitted by unprotected sex or contaminated hypodermic needles. It is important to know how each different kind of virus is spread to prevent infections and epidemics.

There are many types of plant virus, but often they only cause a loss of yield, and it is not economically viable to try to control them. Plant viruses are often spread from plant to plant by organisms (vectors). These are normally insects, but some Fungi, nematode worms and single-celled organisms have been shown to be vectors. When control of plant virus infections is considered economical (perennial fruits, for example) efforts are concentrated on killing the vectors and removing alternate hosts such as Weeds. Plant viruses are harmless to humans and other animals because they can only reproduce in living plant cells.

 

 

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Bacteria and viruses are both microscopic organisms that can cause disease in humans. However, they are also essential to life on Earth, playing a vital role in many different Ecosystems.

Bacteria are single-celled organisms that are found in almost every Environment on Earth. They can be found in soil, water, air, and even on and inside our bodies. Bacteria are incredibly diverse, and there are millions of different species of bacteria.

Some bacteria are harmful to humans, causing diseases such as pneumonia, strep throat, and food poisoning. However, most bacteria are harmless or even beneficial. For example, bacteria in our gut help us digest food and produce VITAMINS. Bacteria are also used to produce many different foods, such as cheese, yogurt, and sauerkraut.

Viruses are even smaller than bacteria and are not considered to be living organisms. They are made up of a protein coat and a nucleic acid core. Viruses can only replicate inside living cells, and they do this by hijacking the cell’s machinery.

Viruses can cause a wide range of diseases in humans, including the common cold, the flu, and HIV/AIDS. Some viruses can also cause cancer. However, viruses are also used in medicine to make vaccines. Vaccines are made from weakened or inactivated viruses, and they help to protect people from getting sick.

Bacteria and viruses are both essential to life on Earth. While some bacteria and viruses can cause disease, most are harmless or even beneficial. We should learn to live with these organisms and use them to our advantage.

Here are some additional details about the uses and harms of bacteria and viruses:

Uses of bacteria:

  • Food production: Bacteria are used to produce a variety of foods, including cheese, yogurt, and sauerkraut. In the process of making these foods, bacteria convert milk into curds and whey, or ferment vegetables to produce lactic acid. This process helps to preserve the food and give it a unique flavor.
  • Cleaning: Bacteria can be used to clean surfaces and remove stains. Some bacteria produce ENZYMES that can break down dirt and grime. Others produce acids that can dissolve stains. Bacteria can also be used to produce biosurfactants, which are substances that help to lower the Surface Tension of water. This makes it easier for water to penetrate and remove dirt and grime.
  • Medicine: Bacteria are used to produce antibiotics and other medicines. Antibiotics are drugs that kill or inhibit the Growth of bacteria. They are used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, strep throat, and urinary tract infections. Other medicines that are produced from bacteria include insulin, which is used to treat diabetes, and vaccines, which are used to prevent diseases such as tetanus and polio.
  • agriculture: Bacteria are used to improve crop yields and protect plants from pests. Some bacteria fix nitrogen from the air, which plants need to grow. Others produce substances that can kill or repel pests. Bacteria can also be used to produce Biopesticides, which are pesticides that are made from living organisms. Biopesticides are often less harmful to the environment than traditional pesticides.

Harms of bacteria:

  • Disease: Bacteria can cause a variety of diseases, including pneumonia, strep throat, and food poisoning. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by a number of different bacteria. Strep throat is an infection of the throat that is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes. Food poisoning is an illness that is caused by eating food that is contaminated with bacteria.
  • Infection: Bacteria can cause infections in the skin, lungs, and other parts of the body. Skin infections can be caused by a number of different bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Lung infections can be caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.
  • Food spoilage: Bacteria can spoil food, making it unsafe to eat. Bacteria can grow on food and produce toxins that can make people sick. Food that is spoiled should not be eaten.

Uses of viruses:

  • Vaccines: Viruses are used to make vaccines, which help protect people from diseases. Vaccines are made from weakened or inactivated viruses. When a person is vaccinated, their immune system learns to recognize the virus and fight it off if they are ever exposed to it in the future.
  • Gene therapy: Viruses can be used to deliver genes to cells, which can be used to treat diseases. Gene therapy is a technique that uses viruses to deliver genes to cells. This can be used to treat diseases that are caused by genetic defects.
  • Research: Viruses are used in research to study the human body and to develop new treatments for diseases. Viruses are very simple organisms, and they can be easily manipulated in the laboratory. This makes them ideal tools for research. Viruses are used to study the immune system, to develop new drugs, and to understand the causes of diseases.

Bacteria

Bacteria are single-celled organisms that are found in almost every environment on Earth. They can be beneficial or harmful to humans, depending on the type of bacteria and the circumstances.

Benefits of bacteria

  • Bacteria help to break down food and produce nutrients that are essential for human Health.
  • Bacteria are used to produce antibiotics, which are used to treat bacterial infections.
  • Bacteria are used to produce vaccines, which help to protect people from diseases.
  • Bacteria are used to produce cheese, yogurt, and other fermented foods.

Harms of bacteria

  • Bacteria can cause diseases such as pneumonia, strep throat, and food poisoning.
  • Bacteria can cause infections in the skin, urinary tract, and other parts of the body.
  • Bacteria can cause food spoilage.
  • Bacteria can produce toxins that can be harmful to humans.

Viruses

Viruses are tiny, non-living particles that can infect cells. They are not considered to be living organisms because they cannot reproduce on their own. Viruses can cause a variety of diseases in humans, animals, and plants.

Benefits of viruses

  • Viruses can be used to produce vaccines, which help to protect people from diseases.
  • Viruses can be used to study the genetic code of organisms.
  • Viruses can be used to produce proteins that are used in research and medicine.

Harms of viruses

  • Viruses can cause diseases such as the common cold, the flu, and AIDS.
  • Viruses can cause serious infections in the lungs, brain, and other organs.
  • Viruses can be fatal.

How to protect yourself from bacteria and viruses

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Cook food thoroughly.
  • Practice safe sex.
  • Get vaccinated against diseases that are caused by bacteria and viruses.

Bacteria

  1. Which of the following is not a type of bacteria?
    • Archaea
    • Eubacteria
    • Viruses
    • Protozoa
  2. Bacteria are classified into two main groups based on their cell wall structure. These groups are:
    • Gram-positive and gram-negative
    • Eubacteria and Archaea
    • Protozoa and viruses
    • Bacteria and fungi
  3. Bacteria are found in all of the following environments except:
    • Soil
    • Water
    • Air
    • Human bodies
  4. Bacteria play an important role in the following process except:
  5. Some bacteria can cause disease. These bacteria are called:
    • Pathogenic bacteria
    • Non-pathogenic bacteria
    • Eubacteria
    • Archaea

Viruses

  1. Viruses are not considered to be living things because they:
    • Do not have a cell membrane
    • Do not have a nucleus
    • Do not have DNA or RNA
    • All of the above
  2. Viruses can only replicate inside the cells of living things. These cells are called:
    • Host cells
    • Vectors
    • Parasites
    • Pathogens
  3. Viruses can cause a variety of diseases in humans, including:
    • The common cold
    • Influenza
    • HIV/AIDS
    • All of the above
  4. There is no cure for viral infections. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and supporting the body’s immune system.
    • True
    • False
  5. Vaccines can be used to prevent viral infections. Vaccines work by stimulating the body’s immune system to produce antibodies that can fight off the virus.
    • True
    • False
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