THE DISCOVERY OF BACTERIA
Dutchman, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek was known as the 'father of micro-biology.' He saw bacteria wherever he went and drew scientific attention to it. His research was helped by the different types of microscopes that he developed over his lifetime. From his powerful lenses he was able to ascertain many different types of life form too small for the human eye to see.
It was by observing the build-up of plaque on teeth that the Dutch scientist discovered what we now know to be bacteria.
His initial observations on bacteria make for amusing reading. On September 17, 1683, Leeuwenhoek wrote to the Royal Society about the plaque between his own teeth, "a little white matter, which is as thick as if 'twere batter." He then observed two women and on two old men who had never cleaned their teeth in their lives.
Looking at these samples with his microscope, Leeuwenhoek wrote of "an unbelievably great company of living animalcules, a-swimming more nimbly than any I had ever seen up to this time. The biggest sort. . . bent their body into curves in going forwards. . . Moreover, the other animalcules were in such enormous numbers, that all the water…. seemed to be alive."
He also observed algae on water surfaces and the furry coating of on human and animal's tongues during illness – bringing his theories to the attention of the Royal Society.
Most bacteria are harmless, although some fatal bacterial diseases such as tuberculosis kills about 2 million people a year.
Bacteria are important in the production of cheese and yoghurt, in processing wastewater and in manufacturing antibiotics.
Dutchman, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek was known as the 'father of micro-biology.' He saw bacteria wherever he went and drew scientific attention to it. His research was helped by the different types of microscopes that he developed over his lifetime. From his powerful lenses he was able to ascertain many different types of life form too small for the human eye to see.
It was by observing the build-up of plaque on teeth that the Dutch scientist discovered what we now know to be bacteria.
His initial observations on bacteria make for amusing reading. On September 17, 1683, Leeuwenhoek wrote to the Royal Society about the plaque between his own teeth, "a little white matter, which is as thick as if 'twere batter." He then observed two women and on two old men who had never cleaned their teeth in their lives.
Looking at these samples with his microscope, Leeuwenhoek wrote of "an unbelievably great company of living animalcules, a-swimming more nimbly than any I had ever seen up to this time. The biggest sort. . . bent their body into curves in going forwards. . . Moreover, the other animalcules were in such enormous numbers, that all the water…. seemed to be alive."
He also observed algae on water surfaces and the furry coating of on human and animal's tongues during illness – bringing his theories to the attention of the Royal Society.
Most bacteria are harmless, although some fatal bacterial diseases such as tuberculosis kills about 2 million people a year.
Bacteria are important in the production of cheese and yoghurt, in processing wastewater and in manufacturing antibiotics.
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