Bacteria are a single cell microorganisms. These cells have no nucleus, are metabolically active and divide by binary fission. Bacteriology is the study of bacteria. Bacteriology is a subdivision of microbiology. In microbiology micro-organisms such as yeast, molds, and viruses are also included Superficially, bacteria appear to be relatively simple forms of life; in fact, they are sophisticated and highly adaptable

History
this field was founded by ferdinand Cohn, a botanist. People have known disease were contagious for centuries before discovering bacteria. Today, some disease are thought to be caused by bacteria, but has undiscovered pathogen has been identified. occasionally, a new disease is connected to a new group of bacteria.

Medical
90% of infections in hospitals patients are caused by bacteria. In developing countries, infections can have a devastating effect. Malnutrition, parasitic infections, and poor sanitation make natives more prone to disease. Some bacterial diseases, like diarrheal diseases, are the second leading cause of death, falling in behind cardiovascular. Today, new diseases, like toxic shock syndrome, are still being discovered. Antibiotics have slowed disease, and made some that fight back. cleaner water and sanitation have a bigger effect.

The discipline of bacteriology was an answer to the need to test and apply theories of disease, and economic concerns about food spoiling. Growth can be prevented by pasteurization, named after Louis Pasteur. Many disease are failure of the bacterium, since a good parasite will not damage its host. Many nonpathogenic bacteria can help humans, like intestinal flora produce vitamin K, waste breakdown, and such.

Applied bacteriology
Applied bacteriology has industrial use. Different species can use hydrocarbon substrates, like phenol, rubber, and petroleum. They come in parasitic and free-living forms. They can change rapidly, and have many uses, some of which we have not discovered.

Anyone who has cleaned a toilet can tell you why they hate bacteria. It is a exciting dangerous field, as many horror movies have shown. But we can live without these bacteria. They are into everything, and some have worked their way into are medicine, industry, and our selves.

Learn more about this author, Liomas Thomas.
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