Who Needs Bacteria?
Missouri Conservation CommissionDecomposers include bacteria, fungi, worms, and insects. Bacteria help to rid the world of dead organisms by playing the role of decomposers in the food web. These single-celled organisms break down organic material into reusable molecules (such as carbon and nitrogen compounds) that supply plants with the necessary nutrients for growth. Plants are the foundation of the food web. In turn, plants supply animals with the food they need to survive. When animals and plants die, the bacteria decompose the cells of those organisms, and the cycle repeats itself. Bacteria are very adaptable life forms. Scientists theorize that bacteria are the earliest known organisms, and it is possible that all life on Earth evolved from these simple yet hardy life forms. But it’s always the bad things about bacteria that people remember. They cause illnesses such as strep throat, ear infections, and food poisoning (salmonella and botulism for example). An Unwelcome Guest The
