Causes of Infectious Disease: Bacteria
Streptococci Bacteria
- Microbes belonging to the bacteria group are made up of only one cell.
- Under a microscope, bacteria look like balls, rods, or spirals.
- Bacteria are so small that a line of 1,000 could fit across the eraser of a pencil.
- Life in any form on Earth could not exist without these tiny cells.
- Some bacteria (aerobic bacteria) need oxygen to survive, but others (anaerobic bacteria) do not.
- Most bacteria are harmless and many are even beneficial to humans.
- Less than 1 percent (1 in 100) of bacteria cause diseases in humans.
- Harmless anaerobic bacteria actually live in human intestines, where they help
- to digest food,
- destroy disease-causing microbes,
- fight cancer cells, and
- give the body needed vitamins.
- Healthy food products, such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and cheese, are made using bacteria.
- Harmless anaerobic bacteria actually live in human intestines, where they help
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| Some bacteria produce poisons called toxins which can make us sick. Botulism, a severe form of food poisoning, affects the nerves and is caused by toxins from Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
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Adapted from National Health Institute. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/microbes.htm#a
