Highlights from Section 2 – Bacteria in Your Life

Antibiotic A chemical produced by bacteria that limits the growth of other bacteria.

Saprophyte Any organism that uses dead organisms as an energy source. Saprophytic bacteria help recycle nutrients.

Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria Change nitrogen from the air into forms that can be used by plants and animals.

Bioremediation Using organisms to help clean up or remove environmental pollutants.

Pathogen Any organism that causes disease.

Toxin Poisonous substance produce by some bacterial pathogens.

Endospore Thick walled structure produced by pathogenic bacteria when growing conditions are unfavorable.

Pasteurization Process of heating food to a temperature that kills most harmful bacteria.

Vaccine Used to prevent some bacterial diseases. Made from damaged or killed bacteria. Cause the body to produce antibodies.