If
we look around us, we won't be able to see al the bacteria but
that doesn't mean they're not every where! For example, did you
know that the average computer keyboard has 100 times more bacteria
lurking on its surfaces than an ordinary toilet seat? Think about
it - computer keyboards don't get cleaned half as much as toilets
do, yet we're touching them all the time with our filthy hands.
But a keyboard will never be as nasty as that washing up sponge
lurking in your kitchen - read this page
to find out more about the dangers lurking in your sink.
Before I scare you with tales of dangerous microbes, I should point out that it is only 1% of known bacterial species that can make us ill. The rest of the bacterial world is harmless or actually helps our day to day lives. Life as we know it wouldn't exist without bacteria. We wouldn't have beer or cheese to start with, and our digestive systems would be pretty messed up too. After all, 90% of the cells making up a human body are in fact bacterial, and the bacteria in our guts weighs in at about 1kg! These bacteria carry out various important processes in the body, helping us break down our food and maybe even protecting us from the harmful effects of disease-causing microbes.
Our
microbiology lab is home to loads of friendly bacteria, each with
a story to tell! Click on the links on the right to meet some
of them. Got a favorite microbe? Let me know and I'll use my contacts
in the bacterial world to get an interview. Check back soon for
more bacteria info and to learn more about the wonderful world
of microbes.
Want to take one of these little guys home with you? Visit Our shop to buy a range of science gifts for geeks, with mugs, stickers, buttons, t-shirts, accessories and much more available. Just remember to wash your hands afterwards.....
