Understanding Bacteria - Harmless and Harmful

Bacteria are so tiny; they can only be seen under a microscope. Bacteria are one celled tiny microorganisms. Most people are unaware that most bacteria are harmless. Harmless bacteria are called nonpathogenic bacteria, while a bacterium that is harmful is called pathogenic.

Nonpathogenic or harmless bacteria make up over 70 percent of all bacteria. Bacteria can be found in water, in and on our bodies, and on all surfaces. Some of these bacteria can be found in our stomach and intestines. This bacterium is what helps us digest our food.

Pathogenic or harmful bacteria make up the other 30 percent of all bacteria. Pathogenic bacteria are also referred to as germs. Pathogenic means disease causing.

Pathogenic bacteria can be broken down into three groups. The three groups of pathogenic bacteria are Cocci, Bacilli and Spirlla. Cocci can also be broken down into three groups as well: Staphylococci, Streptococci and Diplococci.

Cocci are bacteria that grow in groups are pus producing. Cocci are responsible for causing boils and pustules. Bacilli produce disease like influenza and TB. Spirillum causes disease such as syphilis.

Bacteria need dark, warm and damp conditions to grow. Bacteria can grow as well as reproduce. Bacteria split in two when they reach maturity. When a bacterium divides it is called mitosis. Bacteria can divide over and over again. In a single day, one bacterium can create over 32 million copies of itself. Understanding bacteria's needs to survive is one way to help prevent its growth. While a virus is pathogenic as well it is smaller than bacteria. A virus needs a host to survive, while bacteria can grow on it's own.. Because a bacterium doesn't need a host to survive it can reproduce rapidly.

One aspect of bacteria is that when conditions change and they are unfavorable for bacteria then go into hibernation or sort and form an outside covering called a spore. A spore is bacteria in a dormant state. Spores are very resilient. When conditions improve, the bacteria will once again become active. Disinfection can not kill spores, only sterilization can.

Disinfection is one of three levels of decontamination. To lessen the number of bacteria one can sanitize an area. The next level of decontamination is disinfection. Disinfection rids the area of all bacteria except for spores. Sterilization is the last level of decontamination. Sterilization kills all bacteria including spores.