 Reproduction, page: 1-9

 Economic importance, page: 9-15

Reproduction in Bacteria: 5 Methods

(With Diagram) & sexual methods
The following points highlight the five methods by which reproduction in bacteria
takes place. The methods are: 1. Binary Fission 2. Conidia 3. Budding 4. Cysts 5.
Endospore.
“binary fission, Budding, fragmentation are kinds of vegetative reproduction”
Method # 1. Binary Fission:
In binary fission, single cell divides into two equal cells (Fig. 2.19).
Initially the bacterial cell reaches a critical mass in its structure and
cellular constituents.

 
The circular double stranded DNA of bacteria undergoes replication,
where both the strands separate and new complementary strands are
formed on the original strands — results in the formation of two
identical double stranded DNA (Fig. 2.20).

The new double stranded DNA molecule i.e., incipient nuclei, are then
distributed into two poles of the dividing cell (no spindle formation
takes place like mitotic division). A transverse septum develops in the
middle region of the cell, which separates the two daughter cells.

The binary fission is a rapid process and cell undergoes division at an

interval of 20-30 minutes. The division becomes gradually slow after
certain time due to accumulation of toxic substance and exhaustion of
nutrients.

Method # 2. Conidia:
Conidia formation takes place in filamentous bacteria like
Streptomyces etc., by the formation of a transverse septum at the apex
of the filament (Fig. 2.21 A). The part of this filament which bears
conidia is called conidiophore. After detachment from the mother and
getting contact with suitable substratum, the conidium germinates
and gives rise to new mycelium.
Method # 3. Budding:
The bacterial cell develops small swelling at one side which gradually
increases in size (Fig. 2.21 B). Simultaneously the nucleus undergoes
division, where one remains with the mother and other one with some
cytoplasm goes to the swelling. This outgrowth is the bud, which gets
separated from the mother by partition wall, e.g., Hyphomicrobium
vulgare, Rhodomicrobium vannielia, etc.

Method # 4. Cysts:
Cysts are formed by the deposition of additional layer around the
mother wall. These are the resting structure and during favourable
condition they again behave as the mother, e.g., many members of
Azotobacter.

Method # 5. Endospore: (Asexual)

Spores are formed during unfavourable environmental condition like
desiccation and starvation. As the spores are formed within the cell,
they are called endospores. Only one spore is formed in a bacterial
cell. On germination, it gives rise to a bacterial cell.

A. Some endospore forming bacteria:

1. Gram-positive
(a) Bacilli

(i) Obligate aerobes, e.g., Bacillus subtilis, B. anthracis.

(ii) Obligate anaerobes, e.g., Clostridium tetani, C. botulinum.

(b) Cocci, e.g., Sporosarcina.

2. Gram-negative

(i) Bacillus, e.g., Coxiella burnetii

(ii) Cocci, e.g., Escherichia coli

B. Some non-sporing anaerobic bacteria:

1. Gram-positive

(a) Bacilli

(i) Lactobacillus

(ii) Propionibacterium

(iii) Bifidobacterium

(b) Cocci

(i) Peptococcus

(ii) Sarcina

(iii) Peptostreptococcus

2. Gram-negative

(a) Bacilli

(i) Fusobacterium
(ii) Leptotrichia

(iii) Bacteroides

(b) Cocci

(i) Acidoaminococcus

(ii) Veillonella

C. Shape and position of endospore:

Spores may be oval or spherical in shape. The position, relative size
and shape remain constant in a particular species. The position of
spore may be central, subterminal or terminal (Fig. 2.22). In diameter,
it may be the same or wider (Clostridium) or less (Bacillus) than the
width of the specific bacterial cell.

D. Structure:
Endospore consists of a central protoplast, the core (Fig. 2.23). The
core is mainly composed of DNA, ribosome, t-RNA, enzymes etc. The
core is covered by a thin membrane, called core membrane or inner
membrane or germ cell membrane, from which the cell wall of future
vegetative bacterium develops.

It is covered by a thick layer, the cortex and then a multilayered thin

and tough outer spore coat, which may be differentiated into outer and
inner coat layer. In some species (Bacillus thuringiensis), it is covered
by an additional covering, called exosporium or exosporium basal
layer, which is apparently loose.
E. Formation of endospore:
The endospore formation does not take place during active phase of
growth. The sporulation starts in conditions unfavourable for the
growth due to starvation, desiccation, high temperature etc. The
sporulation can also be induced by depleting S, C, N, Fe and PO 4 from
culture medium.
During sporulation, the first detectable change is the conversion of
compact nucleoid into an axial chromatin filament (Fig. 2.24). Then a
transverse septum is laid down towards one pole, which separates into
small and large portion. The small portion with its cytoplasm and
DNA forms the fore spore, which later on develops into a spore.

The membrane of large portion gradually grows around the fore spore.
The fore spore increases in size, which becomes opaque and highly
refractive, called the endospore. The entire process of sporulation
takes place within 16 to 20 hours. The cell in which spore is formed,
called sporangium, which remains viable for short period of time after
maturation of spore. The spore is liberated by autolysis of sporangium.

The spores can survive in different adverse conditions like heat,

drying, freezing, toxic chemicals and radiations. Some bacilli can resist
a temperature higher than 150°C.

The endospores germinate under favourable condition

which consists of three stages:
(i) Activation:
It takes place by the induction of one or more factors such as acidic
pH, heat (60°C for 1 hour), compounds containing free SH groups or
through abrasion.  

(ii) Initiation:
Binding of any effector substance like L-alanine, adenosine etc. of the
medium with the spore coat activates to form an autolysin. The
autolysin destroys the peptidoglycan of the cortex. Thereafter, water is
taken up and calcium dipicolonate is released. Dipicolonic acid helps
to stabilise the spore protein, and both dipicolonic acid and Ca ions
provide resistance to heat.

(iii) Outgrowth:
The swelling of spore wall and disintegration of the cortex help to
emerge a germ cell after breaking the spore coat, which behaves like a
vegetative cell.

Each cell forms only one endospore and persists during unfavourable
condition. During favourable condition, it germinates and gives rise to
a single bacterial cell. So the spore is a perennating organ and the
process is called perennation rather than multiplication.

Sexual reproduction
True sexual reproduction is absent in bacteria. But genetic recombination takes place in bacteria.
There are three type of genetic recombination in bacteria. These are conjugation, transformation
and transduction.

1. Conjugation
The genetic recombination in which bacteria exchange genetic material through
cytoplasmic bridge is called conjugation. Conjugation was discovered by Joshua Lederberg
and Edward Tatum. Plasmid F (Fertility) is involved in the transfer of genetic material. F
plasmids contain 25 genes. These genes are required for the production of sex pili. The bacteria
which contain F plasmids are called F+ bacteria (male). The bacteria which lack F plasmids are
called F bacteria (female). F+ cells are donor bacteria and F cells are recipient bacteria. Thus
mating occurs between F+ and F.
Sometimes, F plasmid incorporates into main bacterial DNA. Such bacteria are called Hfr cells
(High frequency of recombination). The DNA of Hfr bacteria replicates. F plasmid gets some
part of this DNA. Now Hfr and F develop cytoplasmic bridge. F plasmids pass through it and
transfer the genes of donor bacteria into the DNA of recipient bacteria.

2. Transformation
The genetic recombination in which bacteria absorbs naked DNA is called transformation.
Frederick Griffith discovered transformation. He performed experiments on pathogenic bacteria
Streptococcus pneumoniae. There are two forms of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.
Pathogenic form of this bacterium forms smooth colonies on a culture dish. So it is called S
form. They are virulent. The mutant forms lack an enzyme which manufactures the
polysaccharide coat. They form rough colonies. So they are called R form. They are non-
virulent. Griffith performed following experiments:
1. He infected the mice with S strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. The mice died
of blood poisoning.
2. He infected similar mice with R strain of S. pneumoniae. The mouse remains alive.
3. He injected dead S strain of bacteria into the mice. The mice
remained healthy. Now he injected mice with a mixture containing dead S bacteria and live
coatless R bacteria. The mice developed the disease symptoms and many of them died. The
blood of the dead mice contained a large number of live virulent S bacteria. These bacteria have
surface proteins of the live (previously R) strain. Thus the information of polysaccharide coat has
passed from the dead S bacteria to the live R bacteria in the mixture. Griffith called it
transformation.
Experiments of Oswald Avery and coworkers
Oswald Avery and his colleagues performed series of experiment and called it Transforming
principle. They destroyed different compounds one by one and checked the transforming
activity. When they destroyed DNA, transformation activity stopped. Thus l3NA causes
transforming activity.

3. Transduction
The genetic recombination in which genetic material is transferred by phage virus between
two bacteria is called transduction. It has two forms:
(a)Generalized transduction: It occurs in lytic cycle of phage
virus. DNA of phages virus enter into E.coli bacteria. This DNA replicates and develops many
new DNA and capsids. The DNA of bacteria is broken. Some pieces of DNA also enter into
capsid of virus. Bacteria burst and release new phage viruses. Now this phage enters into
recipient bacteria and transfer DNA of donor bacteria into the DNA of recipient bacteria.
Bacterial endonucleases enzymes destroy the phage virus. Now these bacteria incorporate genes
of donor bacteria and replicates.

(b)Specialized transduction: It occurs in Lysogenic cycle of phage virus. In this cycle viral
DNA incorporate into bacterial DNA as prophage. It remains peacefully there. But sometime, it
becomes lytic. It comes out of bacterial DNA. Some part of bacterial DNA remain attach with it.
Viral DNA with a piece of bacterial DNA replicates and develops new capsids. Bacteria burst.
Virus infects other bacteria and transfer genes of donor bacteria to recipient bacteria.

Beneficial Effects of Bacteria

Role of Bacteria to Increase in Soil Fertility

Plants do not utilize atmospheric nitrogen directly. In this case, there are many
symbiotic and free-living bacteria which can fix free nitrogen from the atmosphere and
converts it into nitrogenous compounds. Azotobacter is soil-inhabiting bacteria which
fixes the atmospheric free nitrogen and turns it into organic forms; some amount of
which mixes with the soil and increase the fertility of the soil. Another free-living soil
bacterium is Clostridium, which also increases soil fertility. Rhizobium is a symbiotic
bacterium which lives in the root nodules of leguminous plants.

Nitrifying Bacteria: Nitrifying bacteria are chemolithotrophic aerobic microorganisms

(family Nitrobacteraceae) which play an essential role in the nitrogen cycle, convert the
soil ammonia to nitrates and make the usable compounds by plants. Some notable
nitrifying bacteria are Nitrosococcus, Nitrosomonas,  Nitrobacter, Nitrococcus, etc.
These bacteria receive their energy from the inorganic nitrogen compounds. They can
convert the soil ammonia into nitrate by the oxidation.  In this case, Nitrosomonas
bacterium can convert ammonia to nitrous acid by the oxidation while the Nitrobacter
can convert nitrous acid to nitric acid by the oxidation.
Proteins of dead plants and animals are converted into organic nitrogenous substances
and amino acids by the action of some saprophytic bacteria. Besides these, many
ammonifying bacteria such as Clostridium sp., Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus ramosus, etc.
can convert amino acids R-CH(NH 2)-COOH] into ammonia(NH3). This ammonia is
mixed with carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) to form (NH4)2CO3 (ammonium
carbonate) which are used as a nitrogen source by many plants.
There are many nitrogen-fixing bacteria which can fix nitrogen from the direct
atmosphere.  Among them,  Rhizobium bacteria live in the root nodules of leguminous
plants(Fabaceae)  such as alfalfa, peas, beans, lentils, soy, and peanuts, etc. They
have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen about 100-400 kg/hectare/year. Besides
these, other nitrogen-fixing filamentous bacteria, Frankia sp. that live in root nodules of
legumes (family Fabaceae) or actinorhizal plants which can fix nitrogen about 150 kg/
hectare/year from the atmosphere with the help of nitrogenase enzyme. These bacteria
provide sufficient nitrogen for the host plants. For this reason, actinorhizal plants can
quickly grow and colonize in any low nutrient soil conditions. Clostridium and
Azotobacter are also free-living nitrogen fixers which can fix nitrogen about 25-50
kg/hectare/year.
The following table shows the list of some Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria:
Name of Bacteria Where Living Mode of Life
Rhizobium leguminosum Mutualistic
Root nodules of Legumes
(Rhizobiaceae) symbiotic
Mutualistic
Rhizobium gallicum (Rhizobiaceae) Root nodules of legumes
Symbiotic
Rhizobium bangladeshense Mutualistic
Root nodules of lentils
(Rhizobiaceae) Symbiotic
Root Nodules of Mutualistic
Bradyrhizobium japonicum
LegumesSoybean Symbiotic
Nodules of Casuarina, Alnus, Mutualistic
Frankia spp.
etc Symbiotic
Azobacter agilis Aerobic and soil inhabiting Free living
Clostridium pneumoniae Anaerobic and soil inhabiting Free living

Role of Bacteria in Dairy Industry

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play an important role in the fermentation process in the dairy
industry. Some lactic acid bacteria (LAB)  such as Streptococcus lactis, S. thermophilic,
Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus
acidophilus, Lactobacillus helveticus,  Lactobacillus bulgaricus, etc. are used to produce
butter, cheese, curd, etc.  These bacteria make fermentation the lactose in the milk to
produce lactic acid, which helps in curd coagulation and texture formation during the
cheese production. During cheese production, the low pH helps to keep in check the
growth of pathogen and spoilage organisms. In this case, the LAB converts lactose
sugar to glucose and then glucose to lactic acid. Lactic acid sours the milk and
coagulates the casein (milk protein) and forms the curd.

Role of Bacteria in the Vinegar industry

Acetic acid bacteria (AAB) are used in the vinegar industry for the production of certain
foods and vinegar. These are Gram-negative bacteria which belong to the family
Acetobacteraceae. They can produce acetic acid during oxidative fermentation by
performing oxidation reaction producing vinegar as a byproduct. For the production of
ascorbic acid, gluconic acid, dihydroxyacetone, and cellulose, acetic acid bacterias`
oxidation mechanism is utilized. Besides these,   acetic acid bacterias are also used as
biocatalysts for the improvement of eco-friendly fermentation processes.

The following list shows the most frequently used acetic acid bacteria (AAB) species for
the production of vinegar:

 Acetobacter aceti,
 A. cerevisiae,
 A. malorum,
 A. oeni,
 A. pasteurianus,
 A. pomorum,
 Gluconacetobacter entanii,
 G. liquefaciens,
 G.  oxydans,
 Komagataeibacter europaeus,
 K. hansenii,
 K. intermedius,
 K.  medellinensis,
 K. oboediens,
 K. xylinus

Role of Bacteria in Medicine

Antibiotics are the chemical materials which are produced from microorganisms for
preventing the growth and development of other microorganisms. Many bacteria are
used in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of antibiotics, probiotics, drugs,
vaccines, starter cultures, insecticides, medically-useful enzymes, etc. Bacteria can also
be programmed to make various medicines in genetic engineering technology.
Antibiotics like Tetracyclines, erythromycin, streptomycin, rifamycin and ivermectin are
produced by using bacteria Streptomyces spp. while bacitracin and polymyxin are
produced from Bacillus and Paenibacillus species. Bacteria are also used in the
manufacture of vaccines. These vaccines are used against infectious diseases such as
whooping cough, diphtheria, typhoid fever, tetanus, and cholera. In the twentieth
century, the widespread uses of antibiotics and vaccination (immunization) against
infectious disease have radically increased the lifespan of individuals in developed
countries.
The following table shows the list of notable bacteria which are useful sources of antibiotics:
Name of bacteria Antibiotics Action
Bacillus subtilis Bactracin Syphilis, Lymphonema or Reticulosis.
Bacillus polymyxa Polymixin Antifungal
Streptomyces rumosus Teramycin Intestinal and Urinary Infections
Pneumonia, Meningitis, Tuberculosis and
Streptomyces griseus Streptomycin
Local Infection.
Hepatic encephalopathy, skin infections,
Streptomyces fradiae Neomycin
ear infections
Streptomyces Chloramphenicol, Typhus, Typhoid, Whooping cough,
venezualae, Bacterial Urinary Infections, A typical
S.lavendulae  Chloromycetin Pneumonia
Micromonosopora
Gentamycin Effective against Gram (+) bacteria
purpurea
Typhoid, Common Pneumonia and
Streptomyces erythreus Erythromycin
Diphtheria, Whooping Cough, etc.
Streptomyces Osteomyelitis,  Whooping Cough, Viral
Tetracyclines
aureofaciens pneumonia, and Eye infections.
It is used  against Salmonella and
Aspergillus fumigatus Fumagillin
Shigella.
Penicillium
Gnonorrhea, Rheumatic Fever Tonsilitis,
chrysogenum, Pencillin
Sore Throat,  some Pneumonia types.
P.notatum

Role of Bacteria in the Production of Vitamins

Different probiotic bacteria have several health benefits, including vitamin production.
These bacteria have commercial importance for the production of Vitamin including the
species Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus reuteri, Pseudomonas
denitrificans, Clostridium butylicum and Bifidobacterium adolescentis. They are able to
synthesize vitamin K and B vitamins, such as biotin, nicotinic acid, cobalamin (Vitamin
B12), panthotenic acid, folates, pyridoxine, riboflavin (Vitamin B 2), and thiamine, etc.
Among these bacteria, Pseudomonas denitrificans is used to produce Cobalamin
(Vitamin B12) while Clostridium butylicum is used to synthesize Riboflavin (Vitamin B 2).
The following table shows the list of bacteria with corresponding yields of Vitamin):
Name of Bacteria Vitamin Yield (mg/l)
Clostridium acetobutylicum B2 (Riboflavin) 0.097
C. butylicum B2 (Riboflavin) 0.120
Mycobacterium smegmatis B2 (Riboflavin) 0.060
Bacillus megaterium B12(Cobalamin) 0.51
Streptomyces olivaceus B12(Cobalamin) 3.31
Butyribacterium rettgeri B12(Cobalamin) 5.00
Micronospora sp. B12(Cobalamin) 11.5
Propionibacterium freudenreichii B12(Cobalamin) 19.0
P. shermanii B12(Cobalamin) 35.0
Pseudomonas denitrificans B12(Cobalamin) 60.0

Role of Bacteria in Wastewater Treatment

Wastewater is very detrimental to the environment and acts as a source of several

types of waterborne diseases.  There are many well-known bacteria which play an
essential role in keeping sewage clean. In this case, putrifying bacteria treat and purify
the wastewater and make it less harmful to our surrounding environment. These
bacteria work under the anaerobic condition to remove the solid and semi-solid
constituent of sewage. After finishing the treatment process, the constituents get
decayed and liquefied which are filtered, and the liquid is drained out in the river.

Role of Bacteria in  Butanol and Acetone Production

Butanol or butyl alcohol (C 4H9OH) and acetone or propanone [(CH 3)2CO] are produced
by using bacteria in a different industry.  In this case, Clostridium acetobutylicum is the
most well-known and widely used species for the production of Butanol and acetone as
a commercial basis.  Clostridium beijerinckii is also used to produce Butanol and
acetone with excellent results.

Role of Bacteria in Fiber Retting

Microbiological processes are used for discharge of the fiber. In this case, there are
many bacteria help in the retting of jute, hemp and flax fibers. These bacteria grow
under low oxygen condition, which can cause hydrolysis of the pectic substances that
help to blind the fibers with the stem and make easy for the discharge of the fibers.  The
following list shows some notable bacteria species which play an important role in the
process of fiber retting. 

 Achromobacter parvulus
 Aerobacter cloacae
 Aerobacter aerogenes
 Bacillus brevis
 Bacillus cereus
 Bacillus megaterium
 Bacillus sphaericus
 Bacillus subtilis
 Clostridium butylicum
 Clostridium beijerinckii
 Clostridium saprogenes
 Clostridium perenne
 Pseudomonas aeruginosa
 Pseudomonas pseudomallei

Role of Bacteria for Curing of Tea and Tobacco

Tea and tobacco are cured to give particular taste, flavor or smell by using some
bacteria. In this case, the helpful bacteria are Bacillus megatherium and Micrococcus
candisans which are used in the curing and fermentation of tea and tobacco leaves for
commercial purposes.

Role of Bacteria for Biological Control of Insect

Biological control is also known as biocontrol. It is the process for controlling different
types of pests like insects, weeds, mites, and plant diseases by using other organisms.
Many microorganisms such as a bacterium, virus, fungus, or protozoan, etc. are used
as the active ingredient for the preparation of microbial insecticides to control many
different kinds of pests. These microbial insecticides are essentially nonpathogenic and
non-toxic to humans, wildlife, and other organisms. Bacillus thuringiensis is more
effective to control Aedes aegypti while B. sphaericus strain is effective to control Culex
quinquefasciatus. In this case, Bacillus thuringiensis secrete proteinaceous substances
which are highly toxic to caterpillars and insects under the order Lepidoptera.
The following table shows the list of Bacteria, product name and their uses.
Name of
Product Name Uses
Bacteria
Bactur®, Caterpillar Killer®,
Bacillus Bactospeine®, Bioworm®, Effective for foliage-feeding
thuringiensis Javelin®, Dipel®, Futura®, caterpillars and Indian meal moth
var. kurstaki Thuricide®,SOK-Bt®, Tribactur®, of stored grain.
Worthy Attack®,Topside®,
Aquabee®, Bactimos®, Effective against larvae of Aedes
Bacillus
Gnatrol®, LarvX®, Skeetal®, and Psorophora
thuringiensis
Mosquito Attack®, Vectobac®, mosquitoes(Psorophora ciliata),
var. israelensis
Teknar®, black flies, and fungus gnats only.
Bacillus Foil®, M-Track®, It is highly effective against larvae
thuringiensis M-One®, of Colorado potato beetle and the
var. tenebrinos Trident®, elm leaf beetle(Xanthogaleruca
 Name of
Product Name Uses
Bacteria
Novardo® luteola).
Bacillus It is used only for control of wax
thuringiensis Certan® moth infestations in honeybee
var. aizawai hives.
Bacillus
popilliae and Effective against larvae (grubs) of
Grub Attack®
Bacillus Japanese beetle
lentimorbus
Effective against larvae of Culex,
Bacillus Vectolex CG®, Psorophora, and Culiseta
sphaericus Vectolex WDG® mosquitos, larvae of some Aedes
spp.

Role of Bacteria in the Degradation of Petroleum

Hydrocarbon contamination is one of the major environmental problems today. It occurs

due to the accidental releases of petroleum products from the petrochemical industry,
oil tankers, ships, etc. The ultimate natural mechanism is the microbial degradation
which can clean up the pollutants of petroleum hydrocarbon from the environment.
There are many indigenous microorganisms which live in water and soil, and they can
eliminate hydrocarbon contaminants. The following bacteria species can degrade
hydrocarbon pollutants from crude oil:

 Pseudomonas fluorescens, 
 P. aeruginosa,
 Bacillus subtilis
 Alcaligenes sp.
 Acinetobacter lwoffi
 Flavobacterium sp.
 Micrococcus roseus, and
 Corynebacterium sp. 

Role of Bacteria for Decomposition of Dead Animals

Decomposition is the natural process which breaks down the dead animal or plant
tissue by the action of different types of the organism such as invertebrates, fungi and
bacteria. These organisms are known as decomposers. In this case, some bacteria play
an essential role to decompose the dead organic matters into an inorganic form which
increase the fertility of the soil by mixing with it, and finally the plants absorb it as
nutrients.
Harmful Effect of Bacteria

Role of Bacteria in Food Spoilage

Some bacteria cause food Spoilage. Micrococcus can cause vegetable spoilage,
Pseudomonas, Clostridium can cause deterioration of meat while Enterobacter causes
decay of syrup, Acetobacter can cause decay of orange. Streptococcus, Micrococcus
and Lactobacillus also can cause decay of milk and different milk products.  Sometimes
foods are poisoned by the bacteria like Streptococcus aureus and Clostridium
botulinum. Clostridium botulinum causes botulism disease by producing exotoxin
showing the symptoms like double vision, respiratory disturbances, and swelling of the
tongue.  By releasing exotoxins in foods which makes the food unsuitable for the
consumption of human being. Under favourable temperature and conditions, bacteria
grow in food materials and change the appearance, flavour and smell of food.  By
consuming those foods, different types of diseases such as gastroenteritis, dysentery,
etc. are exposed, even death may occur.

Role of Bacteria in Water Pollution

Water is polluted by different bacteria which make the water unsuitable for drinking.
Those polluted water are transmitted by drinking and can cause diseases like cholera
(Vibrio cholera), typhoid (Salmonella typhi) and bacillus dysentery (Shigella
dysenteriae).

Role of Bacteria in the Reduction of Soil Fertility

Moist soil-inhabiting bacteria are capable of transforming soil nitrates into gaseous
nitrogen. This process is called denitrification, and those bacteria are called denitrifying
bacteria. By the process of denitrification, the following bacteria such as Pseudomonas,
Micrococcus, Thiobacillus, Achrobacter Thiobacilus, Micrococcus, Achrobacter, Bacillus
denitrificus etc. convert nitrates of the land into gaseous nitrogen; as a result, a good
loss of nitrogen occurs from the soil causing reduction of soil fertility.

Role of Bacteria as Disease-Causing Agents

Many parasitic bacteria induce diseases in plants and animals, including human.
Diseases cause by different types of bacteria in plants decrease the yield of crops.  A
list of pathogenic bacteria, the respective diseases and their site of infection are shown
in the following table:                                            

Name of Bacteria Diseases Site of Infection

Plant Pathogens:
Streptococcus scabies Scab disease of potato Potato tuber
Corynebacterium
Ringrot disease of potato Potato tuber
rependonicium
 Name of Bacteria Diseases Site of Infection
Black rot disease of Young branches, leaves and
Xanthomonas campestris
cabbage fruits of citrus
Erwinia atroseptica Black rot disease of potato Stem and tuber of potato
Erwinia amylovora Pear diseases(Pyrus) Vascular tissue of pear
Pseudomonas
Cauliflower spot disease Cauliflower
maculicola
Pseudomonas
Wilt disease of potato Potato, tomato
solanacaerum
Wilt disease of
Bacterium stewartii Vascular tissue of corn
corn(Stewards disease)
Agrobacterium rhizogens Hairy root disease of apple Meristematic tissue of apple
Pathogens for man
Salmonella typhi Typhoid Alimentary canal of man
Vibrio cholerae Asiatic cholera Intestinal tract of man
Mycobacterium
Tuberculosis Lungs of man
tuberculosis
Mycobacterium leprae Leprosy. Skin of man
Diplococcus spp. Pneumonia Lungs of man
Corynobacterium
Diptheria Throat of man
diptheriae
Joints tendons, ligaments,
Streptococcus sp. Rheumatism
bones, and muscles
Clostridium septicum Gas gangrine Muscle tissue
Clostridium tetani Tetanus Blood vascular system of man
Bacillus dysenteriae Dysentery Intestinal tract of man
Nesseria gonorrhoea Gonorrhea Urethra, rectum or throat
Leptospina
Jaundice Liver
hemorrahagiae
Animal Pathogens
Bacillus antracis Anthrax disease Cattle
Yersinia pestis Plague Rodents
Coxiella burnetti Q fever Birds and rats
Leptospira interrogans Leptospirosis Dog
 Black rot disease of cabbage

Black rot disease of potato

Concluding Remarks

Bacteria are single-celled microscopic organisms which can live in different types of
environment and survive in extreme conditions. They contain high protective coating in
their body, which enhances to live any severe conditions. Many bacteria live in the
stomach and mouth of a human. They are also found in soil, water, food and surface
areas of our environment. There are many bacteria which live in the digestive system or
gut of the human body. They help digestion of food and make the body healthy. Some
bacteria provide oxygen which is used to make antibiotics while some other bacteria
can decompose dead leaves, release CO2 and nutrients in the environment, which is
essential for the plant's growth. Besides these, many bacteria show harmful effects on
plants, animals and human being.