Sunday, August 10, 2008

Bacteria (Bakteriler)

Not all the bacteria are harmful. Some of the bacteria are useful even though others can cause illness that could even result in death.

*For example yogurt bacteria that we use as starter culture to make yogurt from milk: Streptecoccus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus

*Some starter cultures that are used in making cheese are: Lactococcus lactis ssp cremoris, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus helveticus and Leuconostoc derivatives.

*Some bacteria can be used as antibiotics and vaccines that are useful for healthy life. As you might know, when death or weakened bacteria are injected to human body, our body starts to produce antibodies. These antibodies fight with those bacteria and wins. This is called immunization. Our body learns how to fight with strong bacteria by training himself through fighting with weakened bacteria. As you know this method is being used very effectively for tetanus and tuberculosis.

*Similarly some bacteria are being used to produce antibiotics in medicine. Streptomycin, a bacterium, is being used to produce Bacitracin, Polymyxin ve Erythromycin. These antibiotics are being used for preventing diseases of human beings.

*Also, as a result of fermentation of a bacterium, Clostridium bacterium, butyl alcohol and acetone are produced which are precious compounds for chemical industry.

*Similarly, Dextran, a useful compound in our blood plasma, is being produced by a bacteria called Leuoconostoc.

*Some bacteria are being used in some of the animals’ intestines to digest cellulose. They produce glucose, fundamental substance of carbohydrate from cellulose. This process also produces the energy for cells.

*If saprophyte bacteria are not available, human corpses and death plants will not be decayed to main organic ingredients. This would stop the carbon cycle. These saprophyte bacteria also fertilize the soil by doing the mentioned process.

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