Understanding Bacteria: Good and Bad

You may love them, You may love them, you may even hate them, you may even hate them, but you cannot avoid them because they are everywhere. but you cannot avoid them because they are everywhere. And without much further ado, And without much further ado, I introduce you to the microbes that you will find in the soil, I introduce you to the microbes that you will find in the soil, in the water, in the water, on your skin, on your skin, in the air, in the air, in your gut, in your gut. The all in all, the all-in-all, all pervasive bacteria. all-pervasive bacteria. They are unicellular, They are unicellular, meaning that, meaning that, you know, you know, they are made up of a single cell. they are made up of a single cell. These guys come in so many varieties and shapes and sizes and colors. These guys come in so many varieties and shapes and sizes and colors. and they've been on earth like you know forever since you can actually think of time the only microorganisms who have come before them are the archaea like we just discussed so you have bacteria you know you have them in rods and you have them in spheres and then you have them in cylinders and coils so many shapes you And they've been on earth like, you know, forever since you can actually think of time. The only microorganisms who have come before them are the archaea, like we just discussed. So you have bacteria, you know, you have them in rods, and you have them in spheres, and then you have them in cylinders and coils, so many shapes. You have bacteria, have bacteria you actually have them all now most of them are really really good nice guys some of them are bad you actually have them all. Now most of them are really, really good, nice guys. Some of them are bad. very, Very, very few of them are really, very few of them are really, really ugly. really ugly. So let's talk about the good guys first, So let's talk about the good guys first, right? right? It's much, It's much, much more fun doing that and much more interesting. much more fun doing that, much more interesting. Now, Now, most of these good guys, most of these good guys, they have a nice, they have a nice cozy home for themselves, cozy home for themselves. Mostly, mostly a part of your body, a part of your body, your gut. your gut. Meet one of them. Meet one of them. Let's give him a name, Let's give him a name, Mr. Mr. Bacter. Bacter. Now, Now, Mr. Mr. Bacter is an intestinal bacterium. Bacter is an intestinal bacterium. Intestinal means he lives in your intestine and bacterium. Intestinal means he lives in your intestine and bacterium because that's single for bacteria. because that's single for bacteria okay so mr bacter is called a probiotic now what is that he basically helps to keep your gut really healthy fights off invaders who want to you know invade your gut and then and then the rest of the body and give you some trouble he's also called a functional food functional foods are those which uh give bacteria. Okay. So Mr. Bacter is called a probiotic. Now, what is that? He basically helps to keep your gut really healthy, fights off invaders who want to, you know, invade your gut and then, and then the rest of the body and give you some trouble. He's also called a functional food. Functional foods are those which give more goodness or more health than the normal vitamins and minerals so uh it's also a functional food now you might have noticed that the labels of some more goodness or more health than the normal vitamins and minerals. So it's also a functional food. Now, you might have noticed that the labels of some products, products, dairy products have this words, dairy products have have this words, you know, you know, probiotics added. probiotics added. Have you noticed that? Have you noticed that? What does it mean? What does it mean? It means that these good bacteria are actually added in that food and that if you eat enough of this food, It means that these good bacteria are actually added in that food and that if you eat enough of this food, it will actually be very, it will actually be very, very good for you. very good for you. In fact, In fact, the word probiotic itself means, the word probiotic itself means, you know, you know, for life and anything for life means. for life and I think for life means for good, for good, right? right? So probiotic. So probiotic. Now our buddy Mr. Now our buddy Mr. Bacter is one of, Bacter is one of, you know, you know, the thousand different types of bacteria that live in your gut. the thousand different types of bacteria that live in your gut. And you know, And you know, you need to beat this fact. you need to beat this fact, Altogether, altogether an adult has about two kgs of bacteria in his gut. an adult has about two kgs of bacteria in his gut. That's like two full bags of sugar, That's like two full bags of sugar, right? right? Mr. Mr. Bacter works very hard with the other good bacteria, Bacter works very hard with the other good bacteria. do a lot of work and try to keep you really healthy. do a lot of work and try to keep you really healthy. What all can they do? What all can they do? Let's just explore what all they can do. Let's just explore what all they can do. One, One, they can destroy bad bacteria. they can destroy bad bacteria. They work together for that. They work together for that. Then they can break down harmful toxic material produced by these bad bacteria who try to come and invade your body and give you a tough time. Then they can break down harmful toxic material produced by these bad bacteria. who try to come and invade your body and give you a tough time. Then they can slow down cells that are actually growing out of control. Then they can slow down cells that are actually growing out of control. Some cells grow out of control. Some cells grow out of control. For example, For example, cancer, cancer. It's a deadly disease. it's a deadly disease. It's an example of cells going out of control. It's an example of cells growing out of control. Then they can also make vitamins that are really good for you. Then they can also make vitamins that are really good for you. They can help you digest your food better. They can help you digest your food better and they also help protect you against getting a lot of allergies, And they also help protect you against getting a lot of allergies, which basically means your gut is a very busy and a happening place. which basically means your gut is a very busy and a happening place. The bacteria processes your food, The bacteria processes your food turning your dinner into nutrients that your body cell will use for energy and for growing. turning your dinner into nutrients that your body cell will use for energy and for growing. In your gut, In your gut, friendly bacteria like Mr. friendly bacteria like Mr. Bacter help with digestion to make sure you stay healthy. Bacter help with digestion. to make sure you stay healthy. So your body also has amazing defenses outside and inside your body, So your body also has amazing defenses outside and inside your body which work together to fight these microbes as well. which work together to fight these microbes as well. And your clever defense system even remembers the microbes that they've seen before. And your clever defense system even remembers the microbes that they've seen before. And if they try to invade again, And if they try to invade again, your body is ready. your body is ready. This system of your body is called the immune system, This system of your body is called the immune system, which you will learn about in detail in later classes. which you will learn about in detail in later classes. So let's understand. So let's understand a bacteria's diet, A bacteria's diet, a good bacteria's diet, a good bacteria's diet. a little better. a little better bacteria are like all living organisms they need to eat obviously for energy and good well many bacteria eat starches and sugars which can be found on all this organic stuff that you see around you for other bacteria the diet is not quite different from yours why because they live in your mouth or your digestive system so they basically just eat whatever you eat Bacteria are like all living organisms. They need to eat, obviously, for energy and growth. Well, many bacteria eat starches and sugars, which can be found on all this organic stuff that you see around you. For other bacteria, the diet is not quite different from yours. Why? Because they live in your mouth or your digestive system. So, they basically just eat whatever you eat. They're not at all choosy. they're not at all choosy other bacteria eat you know dead decaying matter which is also great because they along with another microbe called fungi break down this dead material and smelly matter into really really small molecules that actually makes the soil you know much richer and nicer for plants to grow in this process has a name it's Other bacteria eat, you know, dead, decaying matter, which is also great because they, along with another microbe called fungi, break down this dead material and smelly matter into really, really small molecules that actually makes the soil, you know, much richer and nicer for plants to grow in. This process has a name. It's called decomposition. called decomposition now sometimes they also eat dangerous materials like oil so to summarize there are a lot of different Now, sometimes they also eat dangerous materials like oil. So to summarize, there are a lot of different... bacteria out there and between them you know they eat like anything and everything that's organic so when the good bacteria get enough to eat when the stomachs are full uh this is they are very very happy and so will be you so this is called equilibrium so equilibrium is the balance where the bacteria are happy because they have somewhere to live they get their lunch on time they get their dinner on time every day and your digestive system is also happy bacteria out there and between them you know they eat like anything and everything that's organic. So when the good bacteria get enough to eat, when the stomachs are full, this is, they are very, very happy and so will be you. So this is called equilibrium. So equilibrium is the balance where the bacteria are happy because they have somewhere to live, they get their lunch on time, they get their dinner on time every day and your digestive system is also happy because there aren't a lot of bad bacteria. because there aren't a lot of bad bacteria. So this is called equilibrium. So this is called equilibrium. And we spoke about the good bacteria inside you, And we spoke about the good bacteria inside you, right? right? Now what about those outside you? Now what about those outside you? So bacteria like lactic and streptococcus are used to produce food. So bacteria like lactic and streptococcus are used to produce food. So surprise, So surprise, surprise, surprise, bacteria are cooks as well. bacteria are cooks as well. They're used to make dairy products like cheese and yogurt. They're used to make dairy products like cheese and yogurt. Yogurt is nothing but curd. Yogurt is nothing but curd. So how do you make curd? So how do you make curd? Very, Very, very simple recipe actually. very simple recipe actually. Ingredients you need, Ingredients you need. milk, milk, heat and some bacteria. heat and some bacteria. Bacteria are added to milk, Bacteria are added to milk, they jump into the milk and then they grow, they jump into the milk and then they grow, multiply and ferment the milk. multiply and ferment the milk. The different types of bacteria that are added to different types of dairy products each give them a very very unique taste, The different types of bacteria that are added to different types of dairy products each give them a very very unique taste, different kind of taste. different kind of taste. Now cheese can be made from the milk of a lot of animals but they all need Mr. Now cheese can be made from the milk of a lot of animals but they all need Mr. Cook bacteria to turn this milk into cheese. Cook bacteria to turn this milk into cheese. The different types of bacteria The different types of bacteria Give the different cheeses, Give the different cheeses, you know, you know, different, different, different textures like hard, different textures like hard, soft, soft, then their own taste. then their own taste. And yogurt also now comes in many, And yogurt also now comes in many, many flavors and so does cheese. many flavors and so does cheese. So you'll definitely find something in the market that actually suits your taste. So you'll definitely find something in the market that actually suits your taste. Scientists are actually working on a type of bacteria that loves to eat oil. Scientists are actually working on a type of bacteria that loves to eat oil. So that one day when there is an oil spill, So that one day when there is an oil spill, we can let the bacteria clean it up for us. we can let the bacteria clean it up for us. But you know what? But you know what? This has actually happened. This has actually happened. Oil degrading bacteria are not a human invention. Oil degrading bacteria are not a human invention. In fact, In fact, they have been around for millions of years. they've been around for millions of years. The only thing new is the amount of oil that is actually getting spilled into the oceans and the seas and then all these disasters, The only thing new is the amount of oil that is actually getting spilled into the oceans and the seas and all these oil disasters happening. oil disasters happening. In fact, In fact, when there was an oil spill, when there was an oil spill, these bacteria come into contact with the crude oil. these bacteria come into contact with the crude oil. Their population suddenly starts exploding. Their population suddenly starts exploding. You know, You know, it increases exponentially. it increases exponentially. It's kind of like a bloom. It's kind of like a bloom. And this is exactly what happened. And this is exactly what happened. It actually happened when there was an oil spill near the Gulf of Mexico. It actually happened when there was an oil spill near the Gulf of Mexico. It was called the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. It was called the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. And bacteria living in the Gulf of Mexico beaches ate up the contaminants of this spill. And bacteria living in the Gulf of Mexico beaches ate up the contaminants of the spill. So what the scientists were actually trying to, So what the scientists were actually trying to, you know, you know, experiment in the lab was true. experiment in the lab was true. And then it was used, And then it was used, in fact, in fact, in a disaster which happened. in a disaster which happened. And finally, And finally, no avoiding them, no avoiding them, let's talk about the bad bacteria. let's talk about the bad bacteria. Bacteria get a lot of bad press because some of them, Bacteria get a lot of bad press because some of them, even a small number of them, even a small number of them, can make you really, can make you really, really sick and even kill you. really sick and even kill you. There are the bacteria which cause really horrible diseases, There are the bacteria which cause really horrible diseases, usually the ones that are very infectious, usually the ones that are very infectious, contagious. contagious. What is the meaning of that? What is the meaning of that? They pass from one person to the other very very quickly, they pass from one person to the other very very quickly very very easily this is called infectious okay so a lot of the really bad bacteria used to kill so many people medicine now has improved so much that lesser people die the bad bacteria will contaminate the air when someone coughs or sneezes or water you know when someone excretes out in the open disgusting but true people do that and then water and air right things that you need to survive so very very easily. This is called infectious. Okay, so a lot of the really bad bacteria used to kill so many people. Medicine now has improved so much that lesser people die. The bad bacteria will contaminate the air when someone coughs or sneezes or water, you know, when someone excretes out in the open. Disgusting, but true. People do that. And then water and air, right? Things that you need to survive. So Cholera, Cholera, for example, for example, is spread through contaminated drinking water. is spread through contaminated drinking water. Tuberculosis and pneumonia are spread by bacteria that are in the air. Tuberculosis and pneumonia are spread by bacteria that are in the air. A disease that frightens people till today is the bubonic plague. A disease that frightens people till today is the bubonic plague. It's also called the Black Death. It's also called the Black Death. This plague is caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis. This plague is caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis. It killed millions of people. It killed millions of people, Maybe half the people actually living in Europe at that time, maybe half the people actually living in Europe at that time, you know, you know, during the 14th century. during the 14th century. And then this plague bacteria was carried. And then this plague bacteria was carried... by fleas, by fleas, okay, okay, that lived on mice, that lived on mice. So fleas that lived on the mice. fleas that lived on the mice and mice and rats like lived everywhere people did at that time because no proper toilets, And mice and rats like lived everywhere people did at that time because no proper toilets, people did not understand the importance of hygiene. people did not understand the importance of hygiene. And when the flea bit humans, And when the flea bit humans, they passed on this bacterium, they passed on this bacterium, this dangerous bacterium, this dangerous bacterium and people got really sick. and people got really sick. About 6 out of 10 people who got About six out of 10 people who got this plague died. this plague died that's a whopping 60 percent the plague was also called the black death okay because when people died their faces turned black the bubonic plague is still there around the world you find it in places but it can be treated so it doesn't spread like That's a whooping 60%. The plague was also called the black death, okay, because when people died, their faces turned black. The bubonic plague is still there around the world. You'll find it in places, but it can be treated. So it doesn't spread like it used to spread before. it used to spread before i spoke about this plague for a particular reason i wanted to introduce you to someone I spoke about this plague for a particular reason. I wanted to introduce you to someone. the deadly carrier of a disease, the deadly carrier of a disease, the agent, the agent, the vector, the vector, whatever carries the pathogen from the host to the receiver is called a vector. whatever carries the pathogen from the host to the receivers called a vector. In this case, In this case, the vector is the flea. the vector is the flea. It's like a courier, It's like a courier, you know, you know, doing the shipping part. doing the shipping part. And pathogen, And pathogen, by the way, by the way, is a word that we just use for bad microbes who are out there to harm us. is a word that we just use for bad microbes who are out there to harm us. Now, Now, host is supposed to be nice, host is supposed to be nice, right? right? But the organism that gives the disease or has the disease initially is called a host. But the organism that gives the disease or has the disease initially is called a host. So if I were to summarize bacteria. So if I were to summarize bacteria. in a line. In a line, they are everywhere. They are everywhere. Some of them are very, Some of them are very, very, very, very useful. very useful. Some of them are very, Some of them are very, very, very, very scary. very scary. But all of them are unavoidable because they live in every single place that you can possibly think of. But all of them are unavoidable because they live in every single place that you can possibly think of.

They are unicellular, They are unicellular, meaning that, meaning that, you know, you know, they are made up of a single cell. they are made up of a single cell. These guys come in so many varieties and shapes and sizes and colors.

These guys come in so many varieties and shapes and sizes and colors. and they've been on earth like you know forever since you can actually think of time the only microorganisms who have come before them are the archaea like we just discussed so you have bacteria you know you have them in rods and you have them in spheres and then you have them in cylinders and coils so many shapes you And they've been on earth like, you know, forever since you can actually think of time. The only microorganisms who have come before them are the archaea, like we just discussed. So you have bacteria, you know, you have them in rods, and you have them in spheres, and then you have them in cylinders and coils, so many shapes. You have bacteria, have bacteria you actually have them all now most of them are really really good nice guys some of them are bad you actually have them all.

Now most of them are really, really good, nice guys. Some of them are bad. very, Very, very few of them are really, very few of them are really, really ugly. really ugly.

So let's talk about the good guys first, So let's talk about the good guys first, right? right? It's much, It's much, much more fun doing that and much more interesting. much more fun doing that, much more interesting. Now, Now, most of these good guys, most of these good guys, they have a nice, they have a nice cozy home for themselves, cozy home for themselves.

Mostly, mostly a part of your body, a part of your body, your gut. your gut. Meet one of them.

Meet one of them. Let's give him a name, Let's give him a name, Mr. Mr. Bacter. Bacter.

Now, Now, Mr. Mr. Bacter is an intestinal bacterium. Bacter is an intestinal bacterium. Intestinal means he lives in your intestine and bacterium.

Intestinal means he lives in your intestine and bacterium because that's single for bacteria. because that's single for bacteria okay so mr bacter is called a probiotic now what is that he basically helps to keep your gut really healthy fights off invaders who want to you know invade your gut and then and then the rest of the body and give you some trouble he's also called a functional food functional foods are those which uh give bacteria. Okay. So Mr. Bacter is called a probiotic. Now, what is that?

He basically helps to keep your gut really healthy, fights off invaders who want to, you know, invade your gut and then, and then the rest of the body and give you some trouble. He's also called a functional food. Functional foods are those which give more goodness or more health than the normal vitamins and minerals so uh it's also a functional food now you might have noticed that the labels of some more goodness or more health than the normal vitamins and minerals. So it's also a functional food.

Now, you might have noticed that the labels of some products, products, dairy products have this words, dairy products have have this words, you know, you know, probiotics added. probiotics added. Have you noticed that? Have you noticed that? What does it mean?

What does it mean? It means that these good bacteria are actually added in that food and that if you eat enough of this food, It means that these good bacteria are actually added in that food and that if you eat enough of this food, it will actually be very, it will actually be very, very good for you. very good for you.

In fact, In fact, the word probiotic itself means, the word probiotic itself means, you know, you know, for life and anything for life means. for life and I think for life means for good, for good, right? right?

So probiotic. So probiotic. Now our buddy Mr. Now our buddy Mr. Bacter is one of, Bacter is one of, you know, you know, the thousand different types of bacteria that live in your gut. the thousand different types of bacteria that live in your gut. And you know, And you know, you need to beat this fact.

you need to beat this fact, Altogether, altogether an adult has about two kgs of bacteria in his gut. an adult has about two kgs of bacteria in his gut. That's like two full bags of sugar, That's like two full bags of sugar, right?

right? Mr. Mr. Bacter works very hard with the other good bacteria, Bacter works very hard with the other good bacteria. do a lot of work and try to keep you really healthy.

do a lot of work and try to keep you really healthy. What all can they do? What all can they do? Let's just explore what all they can do.

Let's just explore what all they can do. One, One, they can destroy bad bacteria. they can destroy bad bacteria. They work together for that.

They work together for that. Then they can break down harmful toxic material produced by these bad bacteria who try to come and invade your body and give you a tough time. Then they can break down harmful toxic material produced by these bad bacteria.

who try to come and invade your body and give you a tough time. Then they can slow down cells that are actually growing out of control. Then they can slow down cells that are actually growing out of control.

Some cells grow out of control. Some cells grow out of control. For example, For example, cancer, cancer.

It's a deadly disease. it's a deadly disease. It's an example of cells going out of control. It's an example of cells growing out of control. Then they can also make vitamins that are really good for you.

Then they can also make vitamins that are really good for you. They can help you digest your food better. They can help you digest your food better and they also help protect you against getting a lot of allergies, And they also help protect you against getting a lot of allergies, which basically means your gut is a very busy and a happening place.

which basically means your gut is a very busy and a happening place. The bacteria processes your food, The bacteria processes your food turning your dinner into nutrients that your body cell will use for energy and for growing. turning your dinner into nutrients that your body cell will use for energy and for growing.

In your gut, In your gut, friendly bacteria like Mr. friendly bacteria like Mr. Bacter help with digestion to make sure you stay healthy. Bacter help with digestion. to make sure you stay healthy.

So your body also has amazing defenses outside and inside your body, So your body also has amazing defenses outside and inside your body which work together to fight these microbes as well. which work together to fight these microbes as well. And your clever defense system even remembers the microbes that they've seen before.

And your clever defense system even remembers the microbes that they've seen before. And if they try to invade again, And if they try to invade again, your body is ready. your body is ready. This system of your body is called the immune system, This system of your body is called the immune system, which you will learn about in detail in later classes.

which you will learn about in detail in later classes. So let's understand. So let's understand a bacteria's diet, A bacteria's diet, a good bacteria's diet, a good bacteria's diet. a little better. a little better bacteria are like all living organisms they need to eat obviously for energy and good well many bacteria eat starches and sugars which can be found on all this organic stuff that you see around you for other bacteria the diet is not quite different from yours why because they live in your mouth or your digestive system so they basically just eat whatever you eat Bacteria are like all living organisms.

They need to eat, obviously, for energy and growth. Well, many bacteria eat starches and sugars, which can be found on all this organic stuff that you see around you. For other bacteria, the diet is not quite different from yours. Why? Because they live in your mouth or your digestive system.

So, they basically just eat whatever you eat. They're not at all choosy. they're not at all choosy other bacteria eat you know dead decaying matter which is also great because they along with another microbe called fungi break down this dead material and smelly matter into really really small molecules that actually makes the soil you know much richer and nicer for plants to grow in this process has a name it's Other bacteria eat, you know, dead, decaying matter, which is also great because they, along with another microbe called fungi, break down this dead material and smelly matter into really, really small molecules that actually makes the soil, you know, much richer and nicer for plants to grow in.

This process has a name. It's called decomposition. called decomposition now sometimes they also eat dangerous materials like oil so to summarize there are a lot of different Now, sometimes they also eat dangerous materials like oil. So to summarize, there are a lot of different...

bacteria out there and between them you know they eat like anything and everything that's organic so when the good bacteria get enough to eat when the stomachs are full uh this is they are very very happy and so will be you so this is called equilibrium so equilibrium is the balance where the bacteria are happy because they have somewhere to live they get their lunch on time they get their dinner on time every day and your digestive system is also happy bacteria out there and between them you know they eat like anything and everything that's organic. So when the good bacteria get enough to eat, when the stomachs are full, this is, they are very, very happy and so will be you. So this is called equilibrium. So equilibrium is the balance where the bacteria are happy because they have somewhere to live, they get their lunch on time, they get their dinner on time every day and your digestive system is also happy because there aren't a lot of bad bacteria. because there aren't a lot of bad bacteria.

So this is called equilibrium. So this is called equilibrium. And we spoke about the good bacteria inside you, And we spoke about the good bacteria inside you, right?

right? Now what about those outside you? Now what about those outside you?

So bacteria like lactic and streptococcus are used to produce food. So bacteria like lactic and streptococcus are used to produce food. So surprise, So surprise, surprise, surprise, bacteria are cooks as well.

bacteria are cooks as well. They're used to make dairy products like cheese and yogurt. They're used to make dairy products like cheese and yogurt.

Yogurt is nothing but curd. Yogurt is nothing but curd. So how do you make curd?

So how do you make curd? Very, Very, very simple recipe actually. very simple recipe actually.

Ingredients you need, Ingredients you need. milk, milk, heat and some bacteria. heat and some bacteria. Bacteria are added to milk, Bacteria are added to milk, they jump into the milk and then they grow, they jump into the milk and then they grow, multiply and ferment the milk. multiply and ferment the milk.

The different types of bacteria that are added to different types of dairy products each give them a very very unique taste, The different types of bacteria that are added to different types of dairy products each give them a very very unique taste, different kind of taste. different kind of taste. Now cheese can be made from the milk of a lot of animals but they all need Mr. Now cheese can be made from the milk of a lot of animals but they all need Mr. Cook bacteria to turn this milk into cheese.

Cook bacteria to turn this milk into cheese. The different types of bacteria The different types of bacteria Give the different cheeses, Give the different cheeses, you know, you know, different, different, different textures like hard, different textures like hard, soft, soft, then their own taste. then their own taste.

And yogurt also now comes in many, And yogurt also now comes in many, many flavors and so does cheese. many flavors and so does cheese. So you'll definitely find something in the market that actually suits your taste.

So you'll definitely find something in the market that actually suits your taste. Scientists are actually working on a type of bacteria that loves to eat oil. Scientists are actually working on a type of bacteria that loves to eat oil. So that one day when there is an oil spill, So that one day when there is an oil spill, we can let the bacteria clean it up for us.

we can let the bacteria clean it up for us. But you know what? But you know what? This has actually happened. This has actually happened.

Oil degrading bacteria are not a human invention. Oil degrading bacteria are not a human invention. In fact, In fact, they have been around for millions of years. they've been around for millions of years. The only thing new is the amount of oil that is actually getting spilled into the oceans and the seas and then all these disasters, The only thing new is the amount of oil that is actually getting spilled into the oceans and the seas and all these oil disasters happening.

oil disasters happening. In fact, In fact, when there was an oil spill, when there was an oil spill, these bacteria come into contact with the crude oil. these bacteria come into contact with the crude oil. Their population suddenly starts exploding. Their population suddenly starts exploding.

You know, You know, it increases exponentially. it increases exponentially. It's kind of like a bloom. It's kind of like a bloom.

And this is exactly what happened. And this is exactly what happened. It actually happened when there was an oil spill near the Gulf of Mexico.

It actually happened when there was an oil spill near the Gulf of Mexico. It was called the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. It was called the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

And bacteria living in the Gulf of Mexico beaches ate up the contaminants of this spill. And bacteria living in the Gulf of Mexico beaches ate up the contaminants of the spill. So what the scientists were actually trying to, So what the scientists were actually trying to, you know, you know, experiment in the lab was true. experiment in the lab was true.

And then it was used, And then it was used, in fact, in fact, in a disaster which happened. in a disaster which happened. And finally, And finally, no avoiding them, no avoiding them, let's talk about the bad bacteria. let's talk about the bad bacteria.

Bacteria get a lot of bad press because some of them, Bacteria get a lot of bad press because some of them, even a small number of them, even a small number of them, can make you really, can make you really, really sick and even kill you. really sick and even kill you. There are the bacteria which cause really horrible diseases, There are the bacteria which cause really horrible diseases, usually the ones that are very infectious, usually the ones that are very infectious, contagious. contagious.

What is the meaning of that? What is the meaning of that? They pass from one person to the other very very quickly, they pass from one person to the other very very quickly very very easily this is called infectious okay so a lot of the really bad bacteria used to kill so many people medicine now has improved so much that lesser people die the bad bacteria will contaminate the air when someone coughs or sneezes or water you know when someone excretes out in the open disgusting but true people do that and then water and air right things that you need to survive so very very easily. This is called infectious. Okay, so a lot of the really bad bacteria used to kill so many people.

Medicine now has improved so much that lesser people die. The bad bacteria will contaminate the air when someone coughs or sneezes or water, you know, when someone excretes out in the open. Disgusting, but true.

People do that. And then water and air, right? Things that you need to survive. So Cholera, Cholera, for example, for example, is spread through contaminated drinking water. is spread through contaminated drinking water.

Tuberculosis and pneumonia are spread by bacteria that are in the air. Tuberculosis and pneumonia are spread by bacteria that are in the air. A disease that frightens people till today is the bubonic plague. A disease that frightens people till today is the bubonic plague.

It's also called the Black Death. It's also called the Black Death. This plague is caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis. This plague is caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis. It killed millions of people.

It killed millions of people, Maybe half the people actually living in Europe at that time, maybe half the people actually living in Europe at that time, you know, you know, during the 14th century. during the 14th century. And then this plague bacteria was carried.

And then this plague bacteria was carried... by fleas, by fleas, okay, okay, that lived on mice, that lived on mice. So fleas that lived on the mice.

fleas that lived on the mice and mice and rats like lived everywhere people did at that time because no proper toilets, And mice and rats like lived everywhere people did at that time because no proper toilets, people did not understand the importance of hygiene. people did not understand the importance of hygiene. And when the flea bit humans, And when the flea bit humans, they passed on this bacterium, they passed on this bacterium, this dangerous bacterium, this dangerous bacterium and people got really sick.

and people got really sick. About 6 out of 10 people who got About six out of 10 people who got this plague died. this plague died that's a whopping 60 percent the plague was also called the black death okay because when people died their faces turned black the bubonic plague is still there around the world you find it in places but it can be treated so it doesn't spread like That's a whooping 60%. The plague was also called the black death, okay, because when people died, their faces turned black.

The bubonic plague is still there around the world. You'll find it in places, but it can be treated. So it doesn't spread like it used to spread before. it used to spread before i spoke about this plague for a particular reason i wanted to introduce you to someone I spoke about this plague for a particular reason. I wanted to introduce you to someone.

the deadly carrier of a disease, the deadly carrier of a disease, the agent, the agent, the vector, the vector, whatever carries the pathogen from the host to the receiver is called a vector. whatever carries the pathogen from the host to the receivers called a vector. In this case, In this case, the vector is the flea. the vector is the flea. It's like a courier, It's like a courier, you know, you know, doing the shipping part.

doing the shipping part. And pathogen, And pathogen, by the way, by the way, is a word that we just use for bad microbes who are out there to harm us. is a word that we just use for bad microbes who are out there to harm us.

Now, Now, host is supposed to be nice, host is supposed to be nice, right? right? But the organism that gives the disease or has the disease initially is called a host. But the organism that gives the disease or has the disease initially is called a host.

So if I were to summarize bacteria. So if I were to summarize bacteria. in a line.

In a line, they are everywhere. They are everywhere. Some of them are very, Some of them are very, very, very, very useful. very useful.

Some of them are very, Some of them are very, very, very, very scary. very scary. But all of them are unavoidable because they live in every single place that you can possibly think of.

But all of them are unavoidable because they live in every single place that you can possibly think of.

Transcript for:Understanding Bacteria: Good and Bad

Transcript for:
Understanding Bacteria: Good and Bad