Four Fun Facts about Bacteria That May Surprise You

If you've learned anything about your body, you are likely to know a thing or two about bacteria, even if your knowledge is relatively basic. If you're looking to learn more, read these four fun facts about bacteria.

Bacteria (plural for bacterium) are single-celled organisms that exist nearly everywhere. Their existence is vital to the Earth's ecosystems, and some species can survive under extreme conditions.

They come in various shapes, from spherical to spiral to corkscrew, comma, and rod-shaped. And while they are single-celled, they can live in pairs, clusters, or chains.

Scientists have observed numerous other intriguing things about bacteria and their behavior over time. Learn more about these organisms with these four fun facts about bacteria.

Illustrations of different bacteria | Source: Shutterstock

Fun Facts about Bacteria

1. Bacteria are assumed to be the earliest forms of life on Earth.

Scientists estimate that bacteria have existed on Earth for at least 3.5 billion years and were among the earliest life forms to emerge, long before plants and animals evolved.

Then, about 2.4 billion years ago, a species of bacteria began releasing oxygen, thus creating the atmosphere we live and breathe in today, triggering the onset of the earliest evolution of life.

2. Bacteria can reach incredibly high speeds, even faster than the 5-second rule.

Although speed varies according to the bacterium species, a bacterium is said to typically move about 100 times its body length within a second. In scientific terms, that's approximately 50 μm/sec.

As for growth speed, that also varies according to species. However, what might not be so "fun" to learn is that bacteria can move faster than the famous 5-second rule; this is according to a 2016 study from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ.

Cupcakes on the floor | Source: Shutterstock

3. Most bacteria are harmless.

Most bacteria species are considered harmless, and some actually have a positive impact on your well-being, such as those on your skin or digestive system. The ones living in your digestive system help your body absorb nutrients, break down food, and prevent the development of harmful bacteria.

Still, alongside "good" bacteria are harmful bacteria, which can cause disease or sickness. It's worth noting, though, that "bad" bacteria only account for less than 1% of microorganisms that can make you sick.

Helpful bacteria swirling around a person's stomach | Source: Shutterstock

4. It was once believed that the ratio of bacteria to human body cells was 10:1.

However, researchers disproved Luckey's estimate in 2016, finding that bacteria only slightly outnumbered human cells. They discovered that an adult human body comprised about 38 trillion bacteria and 30 trillion human cells.

A scientist looking at a lab sample | Source: Getty Images

Hopefully, these fun facts about bacteria entertained you and made you feel a little more knowledgeable about these organisms. For more informative trivia, read these fun facts about rice.