Bacteria Can Smell

Studies of species of bacteria showed that two types of soil bacteria could sense the smell of ammonia, which is known to have a very pungent odor. Some of the world’s worst smells are produced from bacteria, and it is possible that these single-celled organisms have the ability to smell these odors. Ammonia, the only nitrogen source needed for bacteria to grow, seemed to attract both types of soil bacteria. When an airborne form of ammonia was released, it being apparent that the bacteria could detect the scent. When both of the species of bacteria were put in a controlled space and exposed to the ammonia, the unicellular organisms started to come together. The reaction was for each type of bacteria to try and win the ‘turf war’ with their competition, in pursuit of the ammonia. This discovery shows that a bacterium has four of the five senses. Smell has been stressed in this article, but it also talks about how they respond to light (sight), they come in physical contact with other species (touch), they direct contact with chemicals (taste). Though scientists have yet to find a ‘nose’ on the bacteria, they believe that the nose of the bacteria is actually more of a protein censor than anything else.

This article is relevant to biological concepts because the bacteria is one of the smallest organisms on earth, and despite the fact that it is single-celled, this discovery is still a major in the study of bacteria. It was an important step in discovering more information about a certain organism, and therefore, as bacteria is an organism, and biology is the study of organisms, it relates to biology.

This is significant because scientists can utilize this knowledge to better the environment. As it says in the article, “Figuring out how bacteria smell can in turn help scientists control biofilms. Such noxious slimes are major hazards to human health.” Biofilms also encourage infections and sometimes attack the human immune system, so this knowledge could be used to help stop things such as this.

Source: Handwerk, Brian. “Bacteria Have ‘Noses’, Can Smell”. National Geographic. August 18th, 2010.

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