Chapter 20
Completely answer the following questions in full sentences.
According to Bryson, the most enduring inhabitants of Earth are what?
According to Bryson, the most enduring inhabitants of Earth are bacteria.
Can bacteria survive without humans?
Yes, bacteria can survive without humans, as they have done so for billions of years without them.
Can humans survive without bacteria
No, as they are responsible for processing our wastes and making them usable again, purifying our water and keeping our soils productive, synthesizing vitamins in our gut, converting foods into sugars and polysaccharides, and defending us against alien microbes.
How do human bodies rely on bacteria?
Human bodies rely on bacteria as they pluck nitrogen from the air and convert it into useful nucleotides and amino acids. They also provide the air we breathe and keep the atmosphere stable.
How quickly can bacteria create a new generation?
The more frantic among bacteria can yield a new generation in less than ten minutes.
Describe in at least 5 sentences how humans rely on bacteria and how many bacteria are found on and around us on an ongoing basis.
Humans rely on bacteria to provide them with the air they breathe, process the food they eat, and defend against other harmful bacteria. A normal, healthy human being carries about one trillion bacteria on their skin--around a hundred thousand of them on every square centimeter of skin. There are also trillions more in our gut and nasal passages. Every human body consists of about 10 quadrillion cells, but about 100 quadrillion bacterial cells. Bacteria lives and thrives on almost anything found in the world -- some thrive on our bodies, while others cannot live without acid strong enough to dissolve metal.