Islands in the Cosmos by Dale A. Russell

Author:Dale A. Russell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Published: 2009-08-10T16:00:00+00:00

Ode to Bacteria

Biomass of multicellular organisms dominates the most fertile regions on the planetary surface, and through photosynthesis it supplies nearly all of the energetic needs of life on the planet. Bacterial biomass typically metabolizes slowly. Bacterial organization may be sophisticated, but it pales in comparison with that of multicellular organisms.

However, the physical limits of life are defined by the presence of bacteria. They colonized the planet and altered surface conditions toward a more congenial home for life. Genetics began with bacteria, and their biochemical virtuosity is a legacy without which multicellular organisms could not exist, for it enables plants to photosynthesize and animals to digest. Bacteria biodegrade organic matter and make it available to be synthesized into new life. One day humble bacteria will accompany humans to distant planets. In the remote future, as solar luminosity increases, they will once again assume the role of being the most complex unprotected life forms on our by then-scalding para-Venusian planet. We cannot live without them, even if they can live without us.

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