1. Bacteria and Disease A pathogen is a disease-causing agent. Bacteria can damage the tissues of the affected organism directly or release toxins that harm the body.

2. Antibiotics Compounds that block the growth and reproduction of bacteria. Examples: penicillin & tetracycline

3. Tooth decay Lyme disease Tetanus Tuberculosis Salmonella food poisoning Pneumonia Cholera Streptococcus mutans Borrelia burgdorferi Clostridium tetani Mycobacterium tuberculosis Salmonella enteritidis Streptococcus pneumoniae Vibrio cholerae Regular dental hygiene Protection from tick bites Current tetanus vaccination Vaccination Proper food-handling practices Maintaining good health Clean water supplies DiseasePathogenPrevention Common Diseases Caused by Bacteria

4. Controlling Bacteria Sterilization – destroys bacteria by subjecting them either to great heat or chemical action. Disinfectants are chemical solutions that kill bacteria.

5. Controlling Bacteria Food is refrigerated because bacteria grow slower at low temperatures. Food can be sterilized by cooking at high temperatures.

6. Helpful Bacteria: Nitrogen fixation (Nitrogen Cycle) convert nitrogen gas into nitrates in the soil used by plants

7. Helpful Bacteria Saprobes: break down dead organic matter (decomposers) Food flavorings: produced by fermentation vinegar, yogurt, cheese, sour cream, pickles, sauerkraut

8. Antibiotic production: some bacteria produce antibiotics that will kill other forms of bacteria Bioremediation – help clean-up oil spills Works in Landfills to break down wastes (including some hazardous wastes) Waste- water treatment plants

9. Helpful Bacteria Provide Vitamin K (E coli)- clots blood & keeps bones strong Keep invading bacteria, viruses, & yeast in check. Make Lactase-enzyme needed to break down dairy products

10. Bacteria Reproduction Binary fission – asexual reproduction. The prokaryote replicates DNA and divides in half. (Mitosis)

11. Conjugation – sexual reproduction. A hollow bridge forms between two cells and genes move from one cell to another. (Increases diversity.)