Transcript Document
1. Bacteria contain Ribosomes, a cell membrane and a nucleus. FALSE: Everything in the kingdoms Eubacteria and Archebacteria are prokaryotic. They don’t contain a nucleus or other membraneous organelles, just loop of DNA, ribosomes, a cell membrane and cell wall. 2. Some bacteria are very important in human nutrition. TRUE: The E. coli bacteria that live in our gut produce vitamin D that we need to be healthy. 3. Some bacteria can take nitrogen in the air and make it into fertilizer for plants. TRUE: Nitrogen fixing bacteria help the environment by turning nitrogen gas into nitrates that can be used by plants as fertilizer. These bacteria live in a mutualistic, symbiotic relationship on nodules on beans and clover (legumes). 4. Antibiotics kill both bacteria and viruses and should be used when you have a cold or the flu. FALSE: Only bacteria are killed by antibiotics. Colds and Flu are caused by viruses and can’t be cured by taking them. 5. Antibiotics are always effective and kill all of the bacteria every time. FALSE: Over time bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics. The weakest are killed off and the strongest survive by natural selection. Always TAKE ALL of your prescription antibiotics. 6. Bacteria help make the foods you eat everyday. TRUE: Yogurt, Cheese, Sauerkraut, Vinegar and many other products are made through fermentation by bacteria. 7. Many of the diseases caused by bacteria make you sick because of the toxins they produce. TRUE: Bacterial toxins cause the symptoms in most bacterial diseases like streptococcus, botulism, cholera, and diptheria. 8. Viruses can reproduce on their own, outside a living cell. FALSE: Viruses don’t have the equipment to carry out replication, transcription, or translation. They must use a cell’s machinery to reproduce. 9. HIV, the virus that causes AIDs can hide inside a cell for years, then become active and start killing cells. TRUE: HIV is lysogenic (it can hide for years in cells then begin to reproduce rapidly, killing white blood cells) Symptoms may not be visible for several years. 10. Many, but not all viruses can be prevented by vaccines. TRUE: If a piece of dead or weakened virus is shown to the immune system, antibodies will be made that will protect a person from the disease in future cases. 11. Polio, Measles, Mumps, and Influenza are all caused by viruses. TRUE: All of these diseases are caused by a virus. Many of them can be prevented by vaccination. Taking antibiotics will not help cure any of these diseases. 12. Streptococcus (strep throat), Anthrax, Cholera, and Diptheria are viral diseases. False: All of these diseases are caused by a bacteria. Antibiotics may be taken to kill the bacteria and cure the disease.