Bacteria

Bacteria are unicellular microorganisms that exist in every habitat on earth. Most of them are typically a few micrometres in length, and cannot be seen by the naked eye. Therefore, scientists study them using microscopes.

Bacteria was first observed by Anton van Leeuwenhoek in 1676, using a microscope he designed. Louis Pasteur demonstrated that the fermentation process is caused by the growth of microorganisms, rather than the idea of spontaneous generation. He was also one of the first who spread the germ theory of disease. This theory was proven by Robert Koch, a pioneer in medical microbiology, for which he was rewarded the Nobel Prize.

With the knowledge that bacteria are the cause of many diseases that affect the human body, there was the problem where no effective antibacterial treatments that could cure people were available. It was then in 1910 when Paul Ehrlich developed the first antibiotic.

to be continued...