EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The bacteria in our bodies help degrade the food we eat, help make nutrients available to us and neutralize toxins, to name a few examples[7]; [8]. Also, they play an essential role in the defense against infections by protecting colonized surfaces from invading pathogens[8]; [9].

Detailed explanation-2: -Microscopic creatures-including bacteria, fungi and viruses-can make you ill. But what you may not realize is that trillions of microbes are living in and on your body right now. Most don’t harm you at all. In fact, they help you digest food, protect against infection and even maintain your reproductive health.

Detailed explanation-3: -Although people often think of bacteria and other microorganisms as harmful “germs, ” many are actually helpful. Some bacteria help digest food, destroy disease-causing cells, or produce vitamins.

Detailed explanation-4: -Not all bacteria are harmful, and some bacteria that live in your body are helpful. For instance, Lactobacillus acidophilus-a harmless bacterium that resides in your intestines-helps you digest food, destroys some disease-causing organisms and provides nutrients.

Detailed explanation-5: -Bacteria are classified into five groups according to their basic shapes: spherical (cocci), rod (bacilli), spiral (spirilla), comma (vibrios) or corkscrew (spirochaetes). They can exist as single cells, in pairs, chains or clusters. Bacteria are found in every habitat on Earth: soil, rock, oceans and even arctic snow.