The harm and benefits of bacteria and fungi

There are a lot of bacteria and fungi in nature. Some bacteria invade the human body and cause certain diseases, and even endanger human life and health. But not all bacteria are harmful to humans. Some bacteria and fungi can be used by people and even eaten. Don’t you think it’s incredible? Then let’s take a look at the dangers and uses of bacteria and fungi.

Bacteria can be both useful and harmful to the environment, humans and animals. Some bacteria become pathogens, causing tetanus, typhoid, pneumonia, syphilis, cholera and tuberculosis. In plants, the bacteria causes leaf spot, fire blight, and wilt. Modes of infection include contact, airborne transmission, food, water and carriers of bacteria. Pathogens can be treated with antibiotics, which are divided into bactericidal and bacteriostatic types.

Bacteria are often used together with yeast and other types of fungi to ferment foods. For example, in the traditional production process of vinegar, acetic acid bacteria in the air are used to convert wine into vinegar. Other foods made using bacteria include cheese, kimchi, soy sauce, vinegar, wine, yogurt, etc. Bacteria can also secrete a variety of antibiotics, for example, streptomycin is secreted by Streptomyces.

The ability of bacteria to degrade a wide range of organic compounds is also often used to clean up pollution, known as bioremediation. For example, scientists used methanogens to break down trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene pollution in Georgia, USA.

Bacteria also have a great impact on human activities. For example, the production of cheese and yogurt, the manufacture of some antibiotics, and the treatment of wastewater are all related to bacteria. In the field of biotechnology, bacteria are also widely used.

Large fruiting fungi are edible, such as mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and wood ear mushrooms. Some fungi can be treated with medicine, such as Cordyceps sinensis and Ganoderma lucidum. But fungi can cause many different diseases.