Beneficial and Harmful Bacteria

Many bacteria harm us by causing many diseases. On the other hand some bacteria are very useful.

Diseases Caused By Bacteria

  • Vibrio cholerae - Cholera
  • Salmonella typhi - Typhoid
  • Clostridium tetani - Tetanus
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae - Diphtheria
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis - Tuberculosis

Beneficial Activities of Bacteria

Rhizobium

It is found in roots of legumes, like peas, grams, pulses, etc, where it fixes atmospheric nitrogen as ammonia, which is then converted into useful amino acid.

Azotobacter

It makes the soil fertile. It fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the soil.

Streptomyces

It produces Streptomycin antibiotic.

Lactobacillus

It ferments lactose (milk sugar) to lactic acid. This helps in setting of milk into curd.

Methanogenic bacteria

It helps in Sewage treatment.