Bacteria

Bacteria

Micro-organisms consisting of a single cell without a nucleus. Bacteria are found wherever life exists. Most bacteria live in harmony with other life forms. Some, for example, those that are normally found in the human bowel and vagina, are essential for health. Bacteria that cause disease in animals or plants are described as pathogenic. Pathogenic bacteria cause disease by causing inflammation (for example, staphylococcus as a cause of wound infection), by invading and disturbing or destroying cells or tissues (for example, tubercle bacillus), or by producing toxins which enter the bloodstream and cause poisoning, (for example, Botulism).