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Heterotrophic Bacteria are those Bacteria that require organic substrates to get their chemical energy for growth and development. Heterotrophic Bacteria are the most abundant bacteria in nature. They are the group of micro-organism that uses carbon as food. Heterotrophic bacteria feed on dead plants and animals. They are found in every type of water. A heterotrophic bacterium has a huge impact on humans and it acts as a helping hand as well as causes damage to humans. A heterotrophic bacterium acts as a decomposer and helps in decomposing. A heterotrophic bacteria helps us on a daily basis by making curd from milk, production of antibiotics, fixing nitrogen in legume roots, etc. But they also act as parasites causing damage to human beings, crops, farm animals, and pets by causing diseases like cholera, typhoid, tetanus, citrus canker, etc.
Heterotrophic Bacteria are found in the places like food, soil, and water. Heterotrophic bacteria cannot make their own food so they act as parasites and stay dependent on the host for food. A heterotrophic bacterium includes all bacteria that use organic nutrients for growth.
Examples: Some of the examples of heterotrophic bacteria are Xanthomonas, salmonella, rhizobium, agrobacterium, pseudomonas, etc.
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Important facts about Heterotrophic Bacteria
- They derive energy from organic compounds.
- They protect our body from defending the invading pathogens.
- Sphere, Rod, Spiral, and Spherical are the different shapes in which Heterotrophic Bacteria can be found.
- They use organic nutrients for growth
- They act as cleaning and disinfectant agents
- They are present in all types of water, soil, air, vegetation, and food.
- The smell of rain is caused by a certain group of gram-positive bacteria that is present in the soil.
- They do not synthesize their own food.
- They are depended on a host for food.
- There are many bacteria present in our gut that help in digestion and protect our body from defending the invading pathogens, also known as Good bacteria.
- They are abundant in nature.
- They are known as decomposers.
- Compared to the other human body parts mouth and belly buttons have the most bacteria. There are more than a thousand to millions of new species of bacteria in the mouth and belly button of a human body.
Types Of Heterotrophic Bacteria
The different types of heterotrophic bacteria are:
- Parasitic Bacteria- They are the type of bacteria that is dependent on the host for making their food. They derive their food from plants and animals. They are generally thought of as pathogens causing disease as they can infect their hosts by a variety of routes. But not all parasitic bacteria are pathogenic.
For eg- Xanthomonas citri, mycobacterium tuberculosis, S. Pneumonia, etc
- Symbiotic Bacteria- They are the type of bacteria that lives in symbiosis with another organism or each other.
For eg- Zoamastogopera
- Saprophytic Bacteria- They are the type of bacteria that preys on only dead and decaying organic matter for food. They break down complex organic matter into a simple compound. They also help in fermentation and purification.
For eg-Fermentation- Sugarà ethyl alcohol + Co2, Lactoseà Lactic acid
- Purification- ProteinàPeptone, Polypeptide, Amino acidàCH4, Co2, H2, etc.
- Pathogen Bacteria- They are the type of bacteria that causes diseases and illness to their host.
Characteristics Of Heterotrophic Bacteria
Some of the characteristics of heterotrophic bacteria are:
- Heterotrophic bacteria cannot produce organic substances from inorganic ones.
- It lacks a membrane-bound nucleus.
- Bacteria use both sexual and asexual methods for reproduction.
- Heterotrophic bacteria derive energy from organic compounds.
- They help in decomposing dead & decaying plants and animal remnants.
- They are small, circular, double-stranded DNA Structures, which are naturally found altogether in bacterial cells.
- They rely on an organic source of carbon that is originated as part of another living organism.
- Heterotrophic bacteria depend either directly or indirectly on autotrophs for nutrients and food energy.
Important Uses Of Heterotrophic Bacteria
The uses of heterotrophic bacteria are:
- The most important use of heterotrophic bacteria is that they act as a decomposer and are responsible for decomposing organic matter.
- Heterotrophic bacteria can be used to break down organic sludge that can build up in the water.
- A heterotrophic bacteria helps us on a daily basis by making curd from milk, production of antibiotics, fixing nitrogen in legumeroots, etc.
- Heterotrophic bacteria help in nutrient recycling.
- They help in biodegradation.
Read More: Mycology
Things to Remember
- Heterotrophic Bacteria are those Bacteria that require organic substrates to get their chemical energy for growth and development. Heterotrophic Bacteria are the most abundant bacteria in nature.
- They are the group of micro-organism that uses carbon as food.
- The different types of heterotrophic bacteria are: Parasitic Bacteria, Symbiotic Bacteria, Saprophytic Bacteria, and Pathogen Bacteria.
Read Also: Mutualism
Sample Questions
Ques. What are the advantage and disadvantages of heterotrophic bacteria?
Ans: The advantages and disadvantages of Heterotrophic bacteria are:
Advantage-
- They decompose dead and decaying plants and animal remnants and help in biodegradation.
- Certain kinds of bacteria live in the intestines of human beings and other animals. These bacteria help in digestion and in destroying harmful organisms.
- Heterotrophic bacteria help us on a daily basis by making curd from milk, production of antibiotics, fixing nitrogen in legumeroots, etc.
Disadvantage-
- They depend on the host for the food.
- They act as parasites causing damage to human beings, crops, farm animals, and pets by causing diseases like cholera, typhoid, tetanus, citrus canker, etc.
- Bad bacteria have a huge negative impact on human health and therefore are harmful to the overall environment.
Ques. Why are heterotrophic bacteria important?
Ans: Heterotrophic bacteria are important because they play a major part in our daily life. Heterotrophic bacteria help us on a daily basis by making curd from milk, production of antibiotics, fixing nitrogen in legume roots, etc. They act as a decomposer and are responsible for decomposing organic matter.
Ques. What are some of the examples of the diseases caused by parasitic bacteria in plants and humans?
Ans: Some of the examples of the diseases caused by parasitic bacteria in plants and humans are:
In Plants-
- Citrus canker – Xanthomonas axonopodis
- Crown gall – Agrobacterium tumefaciens
- A blight of beans – Xanthomonas campestris
- Wildfire of Tobacco – Pseudomonas syringae
- Granville wilt – Pseudomonas solanacearum
In Humans-
- Cholera – Vibrio cholera
- Typhoid – Salmonella typhi
- Tetanus – Clostridium tetani
- Whooping cough – Bordetella pertussis
- Lyme disease – Borrelia
- Diphtheria – Corynebacterium diphtheria
- Diarrhea – Escherichia coli
- Tuberculosis – Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Gonorrhea – Neisseria gonorrhea
Ques. Mention any 2 Facts about Heterotrophic Bacteria.
Ans: The two facts about Heterotrophic Bacteria are:
- Bacteria are used in various food and beverage industries, the pharmaceutical industry, in the production of bio-fuel, bio-pesticides, and so on.
- Sphere, Rod, Spiral, and Spherical are the different shapes in which bacteria can be found.
Ques. Which type of bacteria is abundant in nature?
Ans: Heterotrophic Bacteria are the most abundant bacteria in nature.
Ques. How can you tell if the bacteria are heterotrophic?
Ans: Heterotrophic bacteria cannot make their own food so they act as parasites and stay dependent on the host for food when other bacteria can so that’s how the difference can be known.
Ques. Where are heterotrophic bacteria found?
Ans: Heterotrophic Bacteria are found in the places like water, soil, air, vegetation, and food.
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