11.1 What is a bacterium

Bacteria are unicellular and prokaryotic organisms; that is, its genetic material is not found within a nuclear membrane; unlike the cells of the animal, plant and fungal kingdoms, which are eukaryotic, since they have a membrane nucleus.
Bacteria are the most numerous organisms on Earth and are found in virtually any habitat. Their size can vary between 0.5 to 5 um in length, so they are much larger compared to viruses. They generally have a cell membrane composed of peptidoglycan and some have flagella, which serve as locomotion devices.
Bacteria play a very important role in the ecosystem as they help the recycling of various elements and substances. In short, life on Earth would not be possible without bacteria. It is estimated that 90% have not been studied since they cannot be cultivated in laboratory conditions.

11.2 Classification

Bacteria have evolved into a kingdom now known as Monera that includes Eubacteria and Archaebacteria.¹. Archaebacteria developed millions of years ago in the conditions of the early Earth with high degrees of acidity, temperature or salinity. They are divided into three groups:

• Extreme thermoacidophilic (acid lakes with volcanic activity or deep sea)
• Methanogens (produce methane)
• Extreme halophiles (live in high salinity environments)

Eubacteria are divided into:

• Cyanobacteria (have photosynthesis process)
• Bacteria (proliferate in much of the biosphere)

11.2.1 Breathing

Over millions of years, organisms have had to adapt to live in different environmental conditions. Initially, the bacteria were anaerobic, meaning that their metabolism did not require oxygen. Many of them were strictly anaerobic, that is, they die in very low oxygen concentrations.₂.
After millions of years the planet's atmosphere began to have high concentrations of oxygen, so bacteria had to adapt to this new environment, aerobic bacteria emerged. In addition, they found the advantage that oxygen allowed them to oxidize sugars and / or fats, and in this way obtain much more energy.
Obligate aerobic bacteria are those that cannot survive without oxygen, while facultative anaerobes have adapted to function both in the presence and in the absence of oxygen ₂ .

11.2.2 Morphology

Bacteria can also be classified according to their morphology into four main groups:

• cocci (spherical)
• bacilli (rod-shaped)
• vibrio (arc-shaped)
• spirochete (spiral )

And as a result of their morphology and way of grouping, or tendency to form colonies, we can have diplococci (two spheres), streptococcus (row of cocci), staphylococcus (cluster of cocci), streptobacilli (two bacilli), and so on.

11.2.3 Types of membranes

It is also important to mention another characteristic of bacteria that refers to their type of membrane, which can be made up of a single or double layer of lipids. This peculiarity was studied by the biologist Hans Christian Gram, using a tincture that reveals the type of membrane that the bacterium has.
The bacterium is treated with the Gram stain method (gentian violet), if it retains a violet color it is said to be Gram-positive , indicative of having a simple membrane.
Otherwise, when it is not stained purple, only presenting a red or pinkish coloration, it is said to be Gram negative , and therefore its membrane has a double lipid layer. The fact of having a single or double membrane gives bacteria different characteristics such as their resistance or the type of antibiotics that can be used in each case. Gram-negative bacteria also produce endotoxins in their membranes that are toxic to hosts.

11.3 Bacterial morphology

Bacteria are prokaryotic cells, meaning that their cell nucleus is not delimited by a membrane. Instead they have a nucleoid, where the circular DNA deoxyribonucleic acid is found. They also have RNA in charge of synthesizing proteins from DNA.
Its membrane has invaginations called mesosomes, where many chemical processes take place, including cellular respiration. And of course they have a cytoplasm. In addition to the previous structures, which are basic, they can also have some others such as:

• DNA. Bacteria, being prokaryotic cells, do not have a defined nucleus, their genetic code is found in a circular deoxyribonucleic acid molecule.
• Membrane. The cell membrane can have a single or double lipid layer ( see Gramm test ); it has a structural, protective function and allows biochemical interaction with the environment.
• Cytoplasm. or protoplasm is found inside the cell membrane and has a gel-like consistency; it contains a large quantity of nutritive and waste substances, and a high percentage of water.
• Capsule. covered with polysaccharides that help regulate the exchange of substances with the external environment, including water, thus preventing dehydration. They also help the bacteria adhere to other bacteria of their kind to form colonies. And a very important function is that it makes it difficult for the bacteria to be phagocytosed.
• Endospores². They are formed when certain bacteria encounter adverse situations, especially due to lack of nutrients. The endospore is highly resistant to environmental conditions, allowing it to survive the bacteria until it finds the right environment again.
• Other bacteria can develop annex such as cilia, flagella o endopolies that allow them to have mobility.
• The pili (hair-like) allow bacteria to attach or exchange genetic material.
• Plasmids are DNA molecules, apart from the DNA in the nucleolus, that contain genetic code that can give bacteria special functions or characteristics.
• Inclusions. They are like pockets where bacteria store nutrients.

It is worth mentioning that bacteria reproduce asexually by binary bipartition, after replication of their circular DNA.

11.4 Pathogenic bacteria

It is estimated that for every cell in our bodies there are ten bacterial cells. So we understand that only a small portion of existing bacteria are pathogenic, and that in special cases, as biomagnetism has shown. They are usually found in our body without causing any harm, and sometimes helping the metabolic processes. Some become pathogenic when environmental conditions are altered, then infection arises. Although we know that many infections are acquired by contagion, it is always necessary for the body to be out of balance and with a depressed immune system for pathogens to proliferate.
The damage that bacteria can cause is due to two aspects.

1. Virulence. That is, how much the microbe can reproduce and affect tissues and organs.
2. Toxicity. many bacteria secrete toxins or enzymes or other substances derived from their metabolism that affect the host. The toxins are intended to alter the host and thus allow infection. Some examples of bacteria and toxins:

- Clostridium botulinum.- Botulinum toxin (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) powerful toxin that affects the nervous system and can cause death. The toxin is used as an aesthetic treatment in Botox.

- Clostridium difficile.- Toxins A and B.

- Clostridium tetanie.- Tetanospasmin (Zn+ metalloproteases)

- Mycobacterium Leprae.- Limousin

11.5 Treatment with biomagnetism

Biomagnetism follows the same protocol for all types of pathogens. In the case of bacteria, according to Dr. Goiz, they proliferate in alkaline environments, so just by balancing the pH by applying the biomagnetic pair, bacterial infections can be treated. The application time could be between 10 to 20 minutes and always checking the balance of the body by measuring the length of the legs. As always, we recommend full scanning, since many times the most serious conditions occur when there is an association between several pathogens, whether they are viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites.

Bacterial diseases have several routes of transmission. It can be through saliva and nasal secretions in the case of respiratory infections. Intestinal infections are transmitted by excrement, so following the hygiene measures may prevent contagion, the basic are washing hands and food. Sexual contact can also be a form of bacterial transmission, as is the case with Chlamydia or Gonorrhea. Less frequent is the transmission by animals or insects, as is the case of Yersinia pestis, which can be transmitted by infected fleas or rats.
Depending on the type of bacteria, the biomagnetist will have to inquire about the contagion route to take the pertinent measures. The general measures that we can state are:

• Sneeze into the inner portion of the elbow.
• Wash hands before eating and after using the bathroom.
• Wash and sanitize food.
• Avoid eating street food.
• Do not eat food that is out of date or in battered cans.
• Use protective methods in sexual intercourse.

Immunosuppressed people should take extreme precautions to avoid contagion.

 

---

1. Some classify the Archaeans in a completely separate kingdom, due to the marked metabolic and structural differences that they present.

2. The endospore is formed inside the bacteria and then the "mother" bacteria dies and only the endospore remains, which is highly resistant to the environment because it has several protective layers; while its metabolic functions are suspended. Once it finds the right environment, a new bacterium re-forms from the endospore.

 

 

Next Lesson