Bacteria's role in the environmentby Asmita Gaire | 18-02-2019 14:51 |
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 Bacteria are the unicellular organisms and cannot be seen with naked eye. Bacteria play an important role in the environment. Decomposition of dead organic matter:
Ever imagined the fate of nature with dead matter of animals/plants lying around? Bacteria play a very crucial role of silently getting the nature rid of the dead matter through the decomposition of dead organic matter by the micobes. Bacteria use them as a source of nutrients, and in turn help in recycling the organic compounds trapped in the dead matter. Through this process, other organisms also get benefited, who can use the simpler forms of organic compounds/nutrients released from the dead matter by various bacteria. Nitrogen fixation for availability to plants: Nitrogen is the most important element for plants. Plants totally rely on nitrogen for their health and growth, and they cannot inhale it directly from the environment. They are dependent upon soil for the supply of nitrogen. Through the process of nitrogen fixation, nitrogen from the atmosphere becomes available to the plants. This process takes place with the help of nitrogen fixing bacteria like Rhizobium and Cyanobacteria. These species of bacteria convert the atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates and nitrites as a part of their metabolism, and make it available to the plants. Some plants (leguminous plants) have modified themselves so well that they have a mutualistic association with the bacteria living into their tissues. It also aids in bioremediation and waste water management. |
