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Purpose of Identifying Bacteria

According to ABC News, there are about 2 million bacteria per square inch on a bathroom floor. With numbers like that, you might want to get to know your neighbors, which can also be found within your own body. While some bacteria perform necessary functions, what gets the most attention -- and rightfully so -- are the harmful types of bacteria. There are several different reasons why humans study and identify bacteria.

  1. Education Within Schools

    • Due to their extremely short life-spans and reproduction rates, bacteria can increase in rapid numbers, often taking only days or even hours. Identifying bacteria in a school setting allows students to better understand the various types of bacteria that are all around them. Students can grow their own bacteria by sampling nearly anywhere with a cotton swab, rubbing it in a petri dish and allowing it to sit overnight. Experiments like this are more of a realistic approach to teaching as opposed to mere theoretical discussion of the subject.

    Pathogenic Identification

    • Pathogenic bacteria can cause bacterial infections, most of which can be treated with antibiotics. Although people take these treatments for granted, without medical research pertaining to bacteria, antibiotics wouldn't exist and people would be less safe from pathogens. One such breakthrough was the discovery of penicillin in 1928, which led to successful treatments of several conditions. Penicillin effectively kills bacterial infections caused by streptococci and staphylococci bacteria.

    Sanitation Development

    • Understanding bacteria also created the concept of sanitation, which is most critical within hospitals. Although today it is taken for granted that doctors -- and more specifically surgeons -- wear gloves, it was once unheard of. As bacterial knowledge grew, so did sanitation techniques, leading to a much higher recovery rate for patients within hospitals.

    Federal Regulations

    • Although most people should be worried about the health and quality of the food they're eating, bacteria often takes center stage. Regulations by the food and drug administration require that restaurants adhere to regulations, ensuring harmful bacteria - such as e. coli - pose less of a threat to food-consumers. Inspectors perform standard tests for these bacterial types.

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