Question

Imagining your life as a bacterium, what would you rather be a heterotroph or an autotroph and how would you obtain your food and benefit the society you live in. Give examples

Answer 1

Heterotrophs are bacteria that use reduced preformed organic molecules as carbon sources. While autotrophs synthesise organic compounds by themselves, utilising atmospheric carbondioxide as carbon source. So I would better be a heterotroph if I were a bacteria.

Bacteria obtain electrons for biosynthesis either from inorganic compounds (lithotrophs) or organic compounds (organotrophs). Bacteria obtain energy either from chemical compounds (chemotrophs) or light (phototrophs).

80 % of bacterial cell is made of water. Other than this, bacteria requires carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese. Some bacteria requires vitamins for growth. Examples are Enterococcus faecalis requires folic acid, Morganella morganni requires pantothenic acid.

Some bacteria lives as symbionts in hosts, while some establish a parasitic relationship with the host to obtain nutrients.

Beneficial effects of bacteria

1)Human enteric flora produces vitamins (Vitamin K and B12), which can be utilised by the host

2)Human normal flora stimulates human immune system (produce antibodies and helps in developing lymphatic system)

3) Exposure to microbes in early childhood prevents development of allergic diseases later in life.

4) Probiotic bacteria are used to treat gastroenteritis, lactose intolerance, necrotising enterocolitis, irritable bowel syndrome

5)Probiotic bacteria helps in reducing serum cholesterol and blood pressure.

6)Environmental bacteria cause decomposition of dead organisms, so that the nutrients are released back to the environment

7)Nitrogen cycling is done by various bacteria such as cyanobacteria, so that plants are benefitted.

8)Bacteria that oxidise alcohol to acetic acid is used in industrial purposes for producing vinegar

9)Methanogenic bacteria are used in the synthesis of petroleum compounds

10) Some bacteria such as lactobacillus is used in production of diary products.