Beneficial Uses of Bacteria
1. ____________________ Archaebacteria produce methane gas, which makes up 20% of
the world’s natural gas used for fuel.
2. ____________________ Lactobacillus and other bacteria turn milk into buttermilk, sour
cream, yogurt, and cheeses. Other bacteria turn apple cider into vinegar, and cucumbers
into pickles.
3. ____________________ Some bacteria eat oil and turn it into environmentally friendly
chemicals. These bacteria are dumped into waters contaminated by oil spills.
4. ____________________ Bacteria are decomposers: they break down dead organisms
into smaller chemicals which then go back into the soil.
5. ____________________ Many bacteria, such as human E. coli, live a warm and cozy life
in your intestines. They help digest your food and make vitamins, such as Vitamin K
(which is necessary for blood clotting).
6. ____________________ Beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, keep the “bad”
bacteria in check, by competing with them for nutrients.
7. ____________________ The pharmaceutical industry uses some forms of bacteria to
make vitamins and antibiotics. Other bacteria can be used to produce insulin, which can
be collected and given to people with diabetes.
8. ____________________ Bacteria are a food source for many small organisms!
9. ____________________ Bacteria are important decomposers; they are widely distributed
and can break down just about any type of organic matter
10.____________________ Ammonifying bacteria break down amino acids that constitute
proteins. Nitrifying bacteria bring it to nitrate form which can be assimilated by the plants
from the soil. Nitrogen fixing bacteria like Azotobacter clostridium live free in the soil
and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Rhizobium-like bacteria lives symbiotically with root
systems of leguminous plants and fix from the atmosphere nitrogen.