Organisms from the kingdom Monera are important
to us in many ways. It is important to understand, contrary to popular
belief that most bacteria are harmful, they are actually quite the opposite.
Only a small fraction of bacteria actually cause disease, they usually
attack already dead matter. Without the saprophytic bacteria to decompose
the dead matter, it would continue to accumulate indefinitely.
Quick Fact: Thirty trillion bacteria of average size weigh about 28 g (1 oz).
Bacteria also enrich the soil. For example, the ‘nitrogen fixers’ convert nitrogen gas from the air into nitrate, that plants need to live, and a number of cyanobacteria help fix the levels of nitrogen in the atmosphere. These photosynthetic bacteria also contribute large quantities of oxygen to the atmosphere. Bacteria also break down the matter in compost heaps, which are used for fertilizer.
Some other ways that bacteria are important:
1. Bacteria are also very important to some industries such as the production of cheese, yogurt, buttermilk, vinegar, and sauerkraut.
2. They are used in the preparation of antibiotics such as Streptomycin.
3. They are used in the tanning of leather and hides
4. They are used in the curing of tobacco (not a good thing, but notable at least…)
5. Methane-producing bacteria are used in sewage treatment plants to convert the sludge into methane gas.
6. They help cattle, sheep and goats to digest the tough cellulose in grass.
7. Archaebacteria support ecosystems in hot springs and deep sea vents, because many organisms use them for a food source.
8. Bacteria in the human intestine help to produce vitamin K.