Sep252008
Bacteria: Our Friends?

POSTED AT 08:43 PM

I read an article called "Are Bacteria Foes of Diabetes?" in Science Now Daily News at http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2008/923/4.  This article says that researchers have found that it seems that exposure to bacteria may play a part in the development of diabetes.However, rather than causing the disease, it seems that the presence of certain types of bacteria in the pancreas (which makes insulin) actually prevents the disease from starting. 
 
This article reminds me of an NPR science program that I listened to a few weeks ago.  In this program, a researcher that was interviewed said that he estimates that 90% of the human body is made up of bacteria!  He also said that these bacteria play a key role in regulating many functions of our body systems and in the prevention of diseases.  Of course, yogurts with "active cultures" are promoted to improve digestive help, so it does make sense that bacteria would help to regulate other body systems too. I think that this is both absolutely fascinating and kind of hard to believe.  How can our bodies be mostly bacteria?  I want to know more about this!
 
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  • bmagurn

    If we were mostly bacteria, then wouldn't aint bacterial soaps and sprays kill us or at least do great dammage to us strucuraly?

    9/30/2008 2:34:47 PM
  • bmagurn

    If it was true that we are 90% bacteria, then wouldn't we die if we got antibacterial soap on us in the shower?

    10/2/2008 3:20:42 PM
  • MsFinnerty

    I'm not sure. However, I think that most of the bacteria are symbiotic inside our cells. Mitochondria, for example, are thought to be the result of an ancient symbiosis between bacteria and cells. (The bacteria get a safe place to live, and the cell gets a source of energy).

    10/15/2008 12:17:45 PM
  • Kalina

    I would also like to no more about the bacteria in our bodie. Could any of it be harmful that we dont know of?

    10/22/2008 5:26:06 PM
  • Kalina

    to add to what Bmagurn said could antibacterial creams and such hurt us or damage skin cells? have they tested all the antibacterial products to make sure that they are completly safe?

    10/22/2008 5:28:58 PM
  • MsFinnerty

    This is a new idea to me, too. Here is one website that has some information on animal-bacteria symbiosis:
    http://web.uconn.edu/mcbstaff/graf/Sym.html

    OK! I just found a clarification of the radio show that I heard:
    www.cambridge.org/.../....asp?isbn=0521834651
    This site says that 90% of the CELLS in our bodies are bacterial cells, not that 90% of our bodies are bacteria! That clears up a lot!

    10/23/2008 2:32:37 PM
  • Sarah Carlson

    Sweet! Cool Mrs. Finnerty! So I was really bored today and remembered that I wanted to check out your science blog. I am commenting on the latest entry- September 25. I find it really interesting that our bodies are mostly bacteria, I wouldn't think that at first. I'm not so sure I have enough info though to make any judgements, so I better research it... I dig what your talking about though with the yogurt and how it helps with the digestive system, so that bacteria COULD actually help prevent some diseases and regulate body functions. In addition, it is wicked cool that bacteria is seeming to actually prevent diseases from coming in one's body. I have one question though. Is this just like what we were talking about,with the Black Plague movie and HIV and Small Pox in class today??? Or, is it different in a way that this prevention may NOT be a mutation, just merely how it is? I am slightly confused because I don't know if the reason the bacteria is preventing illness is because of a mutation, or if it is just how it is? Or maybe it doesn't matter and I am just rambling on and on about really unimportant stuff. But anyway, the blog is really cool! Thank you for posting it! I will have to keep my eyes pealed for more info about this bacteria stuff and look to find answers to what I was saying. Thanks! See'ya in science class tommorow! 10:45 early release! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!! lol

    Oh! BTW! I saw the Twilight trailer, and it was so awesome! Way to get off topic, lol, anyway, I can't wait to se the movie! Are you going to see it, probably yes of course. Ok I have to practice memorizing Willy Wonka again mom is yelling at me as we speak, so bye and thanks one more time!
    Sarah

    10/28/2008 9:33:54 PM
  • tyler kaldenberg

    this is a very cool thing i just ave one question. if bacteria can help tight desease why are people trying not to get bacteria by disinfecting thing wherever they go, if bacteria helps.
    tyler

    p.s. if there ar any words missing an h the key is broken

    11/5/2008 12:24:56 PM
  • MsFinnerty

    I think that the bacteria that the researcher was referring to is bacteria that lives symbiotically inside of our cells. The bacteria that is killed by disinfectants would be free-living bacteria that don't help our cells, but instead can harm them. There are so many different types of bacteria, and they are everywhere.

    11/8/2008 6:00:03 PM
 

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