Bacteria are a group of microscopically small, single-celled organisms that can be found in almost every ecosystem on earth. They can live in soil, water, acidic hot springs, radioactive waste, deep in the earth’s crust, on organic material and even in living organisms, including humans.

Basic characteristics of bacteria (German translation: Bakterien):

• Prokaryotic cell structure: In contrast to eukaryotes, bacterial cells do not have a nucleus. Their genetic material (usually a single circular DNA molecule) is located freely in the cytoplasm in a region called the nucleoid.
• Size and shape: Bacteria come in many forms, including spherical (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli) and spiral-shaped (spirillum). The size of bacteria is typically between 0.5 and 5 micrometers.
• Reproduction: Bacteria mainly reproduce by cell division (translation into German: Zellteilung), a process in which a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells. Under favorable conditions, this can happen at a very high rate.
• Metabolism: Bacteria can utilize a broad spectrum of organic and inorganic substances for energy production using a variety of metabolic pathways, including photosynthesis, chemosynthesis and heterotrophic nutrition.
• Behavior: Some bacteria are able to actively move around with the help of flagella (German: Geißeln), while others can form endospores to survive under unfavorable conditions.

The role of bacteria in nature and for humans:

• Ecological role: Bacteria have a significant impact on the biological cycle in the atmosphere, including the nitrogen and carbon cycle. They play a key role in the decomposition of organic material, water purification and soil fertility.
• Industrial applications: Bacteria are used in the production of numerous products, including antibiotics, fermented dairy products, biodiesel and bioplastics.
• Medical significance: Some bacteria cause disease in humans, animals and plants, but many others live on our skin and in our intestines and play an important role in our health and the proper functioning of our immune systems.
• Biotechnology: Genetically modified bacteria are used to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients such as insulin, growth factors and antibodies (German translation: Antikörper).

Bacteria are an essential part of nature and of immense importance for the ecosystem of our planet as well as for human activity and health.

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