symbiotic bacteria
Mutually beneficial germs
Symbiotic bacteria are microorganisms that live in close association with a host organism, often to mutual benefit.
The bacteria in human intestines help digest food and produce vitamins; in return, they receive nutrients and shelter.
Legumes host nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules.
Not all symbiosis is mutual—some symbiotic bacteria are parasitic, benefiting at the host's expense.
- humansHomo sapiens members
- mutualismTwo-way biological benefit
- gut floraIntestinal microbial community
- digestive systemOrgans processing ingested food
- immune systemBody's pathogen-fighting network
beneficial microbes · nitrogen fixation · parasitism · plants · probiotics · termites · leafcutter ants · deep-sea · marine sponges · coral reefs · commensalism · ruminants · mycorrhizae · biocontrol agents · bioluminescence · animals · lactobacillus · beneficial
symbiotic bacteriapathogens
Disease-causing microorganisms
parasites · infectious agents · disease vectors · decomposers