The Good, the Bad, and the UGLY Helpful and Harmful Bacteria

Harmful Bacteria some bacteria cause diseases Animals can pass diseases to humans Communicable Disease – Disease passed from one organism to another This can happen in several ways: Air Touching clothing, food, silverware, or toothbrush Drinking water or eating food that contains bacteria

Streptococcus pyogenes

Meningitis Infection of the spinal fluid and membranes surrounding the brain. Initially caused by Haemophilus influenzae B. Now, however, with the advent of the HiB vaccinne, Streptococcus pneumoniae or Neisseria meningitidis cause most cases of Meningitis. Transmitted via direct contact with respiratory secretions of infected individuals. Symptoms include fever, headache, and stiff neck.

Escherichia Coli Normally lives in your intestines and helps you to digest the food you eat. Normally lives in your intestines and helps you to digest the food you eat. The “bad” E. coli are certain strains of bacteria that travel from the intestines into the blood of organisms. The “bad” E. coli are certain strains of bacteria that travel from the intestines into the blood of organisms. Symptoms of E. coli infection include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping. Symptoms of E. coli infection include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping.

Propionibacterium acnes Present on most people’s skin and lives off of fatty acids in the sebaceous glands. Present on most people’s skin and lives off of fatty acids in the sebaceous glands. When a pore is blocked this anaerobic bacteria overgrows and secretes chemicals that break down the wall of the pore, spilling bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus into the skin, and forming an acne lesion (folliculitis) When a pore is blocked this anaerobic bacteria overgrows and secretes chemicals that break down the wall of the pore, spilling bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus into the skin, and forming an acne lesion (folliculitis)

Syphilis Sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria Treponema pallidum. Several levels of infection (primary, secondary, latent, tertiary). Sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria Treponema pallidum. Several levels of infection (primary, secondary, latent, tertiary). Symptoms include a sore (chancre), rash, damage to vital organs, paralysis, dementia, blindness etc. Symptoms include a sore (chancre), rash, damage to vital organs, paralysis, dementia, blindness etc. Can be treated with antibiotics Can be treated with antibiotics

Human tooth with accumulation of bacterial plaque (smooth areas) and calcified tartar (rough areas). Harmful Bacteria Bacteria that cause cavities use the sugar present on the tooth’s surface for energy. In turn, the bacteria secretes acid that erodes the surface of the tooth.

Helpful Bacteria Decomposers help recycle nutrients into the soil for other organisms to grow Bacteria grow in the stomach of a cow to break down grass and hay Most are used to make antibiotics Streptomycin, bacitracin, tetracycline, and vancomycin Some bacteria help make chocolate and vitamins Used to break down the covering of cocoa beans during production of cocoa Used to make industrial chemicals

E.coli on small intestines Helpful Bacteria

Used to treat sewage Organic waste is consumed by the bacteria, used as nutrients by the bacteria, and is no longer present to produce odors, sludge, pollution, or unsightly mess. foods like yogurt, cottage & Swiss cheese, sour cream, buttermilk are made from bacteria that grows in milk giving them taste and texture Helpful Bacteria

Controlling Bacteria 3 ways to control bacteria: 1) Canning- the process of sealing food in airtight cans or jars after killing bacteria endospores are killed during this process 2) Pasteurization- process of heating milk to kill harmful bacteria 3) Dehydration- removing water from food Bacteria can’t grow when H 2 O is removed example: uncooked noodles & cold cereal

Controlling Bacteria Antiseptic vs. Disinfectants Antiseptic- chemicals that kill bacteria on living things means – “against infection” Examples: iodine, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, soap, mouthwash Disinfectants- stronger chemicals that destroy bacteria on objects or nonliving things

The Bad Side of Antibiotics Most do not know the difference between good and bad bacteria. Most do not know the difference between good and bad bacteria. Non-discriminating action of antibiotics leads to a significant lowering of the natural, good bacteria in the human body. Can result in other health complications. Non-discriminating action of antibiotics leads to a significant lowering of the natural, good bacteria in the human body. Can result in other health complications.

What doesn’t kill them….. Antibiotic resistance – bacteria are not killed when exposed to antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance – bacteria are not killed when exposed to antibiotics. BIG problem BIG problem Improper use and abuse of antibiotics Improper use and abuse of antibiotics Antibiotics should only be prescribed (when needed) for bacterial infections, not viral infections. Antibiotics should only be prescribed (when needed) for bacterial infections, not viral infections. Video clip of antibiotic resistance evolving: Video clip of antibiotic resistance evolving: