The Bacteria Breathe through two breathing processes: aerobic and anaerobic, being this one used by most of these unicellular organisms due to their early evolution.
Some bacteria help us live Like those that allow us to digest the food in our digestive system.
Others, such as the cause of bubonic plague or tuberculosis, can kill a person if they do not receive adequate and timely medical treatment.
The ancestors of modern bacteria, appeared on earth about 4 billion years ago. They were the first forms of life on the planet.
They are so small that a gram of soil usually has 40 million bacteria. A millimeter of water could hold an average of one million.
Bacteria are found anywhere on earth, except in those sterilized by man. Even in places where they are subjected to extreme temperatures or where there is a high concentration of toxic substances.
The cells of the bacteria are quite different from those of any plant or animal. These cells lack the nucleus and other organelles within the membrane, except for the Ribosomes . Organisms whose cells lack a nucleus are called Prokaryotes .
Most people only associate negative things with bacteria. But it must be borne in mind that they are everywhere and have been so long, that man could not have existed without them.
Oxygen from the Air we breathe Probably was created millions of years ago by the activity of bacteria.
Bacteria assimilate nitrogen from the atmosphere and release it for plants to use when they die.
Plants can not extract nitrogen from the air but from the soil, and thanks to bacteria they can complete that vital part of their metabolism.
The relationship between vegetables and bacteria has become so close in this sense that some seeds are a container of bacteria for use when they germinate.
Also, the human body contains huge amounts of beneficial bacteria that do not affect us or help us in any way.
The bacteria found in the digestive system are critical for the absorption of certain types of nutrients. They also protect us from some harmful bacteria that can develop diseases.
How do bacteria breathe?
All living things must have a constant source of energy to maintain the most basic vital functions.
In some cases, that energy comes directly from the sun through photosynthesis, in others devouring other living things, such as plants or animals.
The energy must be consumed and then converted into a suitable form such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). There are several mechanisms to transform the original energy source into ATP.
The most efficient way is through aerobic respiration, which requires oxygen. This method will generate more ATP from the source.
However, if no oxygen is available, organisms may use other mechanisms to convert energy. Processes that do not need oxygen are called anaerobic.
Aerobic respiration
During aerobic respiration the glucose in food is transformed into carbon dioxide and water by oxidation.
It produces a considerable amount of energy that organisms store in ATP molecules. This whole process takes place in a part of the cells called mitochondria.
Most living things use aerobic respiration to release energy. Humans and other mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish and insects use this type of breathing for energy.
Anaerobic Respiration
Some organisms do not need oxygen to survive because of anaerobic respiration.
This occurs in the most primitive types of bacteria, and scientists believe that the first organisms to appear on earth were Anaerobic .
These beings proliferated when the earth's atmosphere contained very little oxygen, and as its composition began to incorporate more oxygen over millions of years, new organisms evolved to adapt to that condition.
The appearance of oxygen is a result of plant life, which generates it from carbon dioxide through photosynthesis .
Anaerobic bacteria can also be beneficial to humans in many ways. Some actively participate in the production of food, through the process of fermentation.
Other anaerobic bacteria play a role in wastewater treatment. Living in environments that could kill most creatures, and not just lack of oxygen, they consume waste materials, chemically transforming them into simpler compounds.
In anaerobic respiration, microorganisms transform food glucose into ethanol and carbon dioxide to release energy.
This energy is used by organisms for their survival. Anaerobic respiration produces energy minerals in the form of ATP that aerobic respiration.
Humans get energy through aerobic respiration. However, they can also use anaerobic breathing in the muscles.
When we do a demanding physical exercise, the oxygen supplied through the blood is consumed much faster by the muscle cells.
The muscles then have to use glucose to convert it into lactic acid to release small amounts of energy.
During strong physical exercise or any type of heavy physical activity, most of the energy that the muscles consume is produced by aerobic respiration.
Muscle anaerobic respiration only provides a little extra energy that is needed under demanding conditions of physical exertion.
The lactic acid that is released in this anaerobic process accumulates in the muscles, being the cause the cramps.
Muscle cramps can be relieved by taking a warm bath or with a massage. Hot water or massage, they do is help improve blood circulation in the muscles.
By increasing the blood flow in the muscles, the oxygen supply increases. This oxygen converts the accumulated lactic acid into carbon dioxide and water and relieves cramps.
References
- Boundless (2017). "Anaerobic Cellular Respiration."Retrieved June 8, 2015 at boundless.com.
- Mac, Ryan (2015). "What Is Bacterial Respiration?"Recovered on June 08, 2015 at livestrong.com.
- Nordqvist, Christian (2016)"What Is Bacteria? What Are Bacteria?"Recovered on June 8, 2015 at medicalnewstoday.com.
- Science of Everyday Things (2002"Respiration."Retrieved on June 08, 2015 at encyclopedia.com.
- Scoville, Heather (2017). "What is the Difference Between Fermentation and Anaerobic Respiration?". Retrieved on June 08, 2015 on toughtco.com.
- Tabasum (2012). "Short essay on Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration". Retrieved on June 8, 2015 at preservearticles.com.
- Weed, Geoffrey (2017). How Does Bacteria Breathe? Retrieved on June 8, 2015 at sciencing.com.