Bacteria

Bacteria are prokaryotic microorganisms that are ubiquitous in our environment, and are found in virtually all habitats, from extreme hot springs to even the deepest parts of the ocean. Bacteria are important for many of our everyday activities, like fermenting beer, making cheese, and breaking down waste, as well as being essential to plants and animals alike. Bacteria play a vital role in soil enrichment, nutrient cycling and waste management, and are responsible for producing large amounts of oxygen in the atmosphere. They are also an important source of antibiotics and other pharmaceutical drugs, and can be used to monitor environmental toxicity. Bacteria are becoming increasingly important to biotechnology, and their use has been integral to the production of insulin and other drugs, as well as to DNA sequencing.