### microbacteria:

Photosynthetic bacteria
* Most photosynthetic bacteria play major roles
* Some photosynthetic bacteria convert organic substrate.
* account for much of the primary production in many open-ocean areas.
* are major contributors to oceanic primary productivity.
* have a special type of chlorophyll called bacteriochlorophyll.
* use light from specific wavelengths in the infrared portion of the spectrum.
* utilize light energy and include purple sulphur bacteria and halobacteria.

Plaque bacteria
* produce acids that contribute to tooth decay.
* use sucrose and carbohydrates from our diet to grow and multiply
  - sugar and starch in food as a source of energy

### microbacteria:

Probiotic
* also help rid the body of excess estrogen hormones
  - improve the body's ability to resist attacks from disease-causing germs
* are a natural protection against harmful organisms like pinworms
  - possible alternative to antibiotics but lack adequate in vivo performance
  - also important in recolonizing the intestine during and after antibiotic use
* are an emerging means of controlling bacterial problems in shrimp hatcheries
  - important source of supportive nutrition for human intestinal health
  - bowel microflora organisms microscopic bacteria that normally inhabit the intestines
* are cultures of potentially beneficial bacteria of the healthy gut flora
  - of the healthy gut microflora
  - essential to good gastrointestinal health
* are live beneficial microorganisms fed to livestock, poultry, and pets
  - microbial food supplements
  - microorganisms thought to be beneficial to the host organism
  - organisms that prohibit the growth of bad bacteria
  - mandatory to help the digestive process
  - mixed with several prebiotics to maximize friendly flora growth in the intestines
  - mostly to replenish the normal gut microflora
  - preparations of live bacteria intended for consumption by humans or animals
  - similar to competitive exclusion products
  - the opposite of antibiotics
  - usually sensitive to both heat and moisture
* can also stimulate the immune system's production of white blood cells
  - encourage the early establishment of beneficial microbes in the gut
* contain lactobacillus that helps promote good bacteria to grow in their digestive tract.
* encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria and hinder the growth of harmful ones.
* have many important functions in the body
  - the potential to be exciting, healthful food ingredients
* help absorb food nutrients into the blood stream for delivery to the rest of the body
  - break down protein into simpler units called amino acids
  - prevent disease and improve digestion
* produce bacteriocins that have natural antibiotic activity.
* suppress the growth of potentially harmful organisms and boost the immune system.
* treat bacterial dysbiosis in some populations.

Pseudomonad
* are common in soil and water and can live on a wide variety of substrates
  - oxidase and catalase positive
* require water, oxygen and nearly any carbon source for growth.
* seem to be common pathogens in our cases.

Purple bacteria
* live in the mud below surface plants.
* require an organic substrate for hydrogen production.

Resident bacteria
* digests some food material and produces two vitamins.
* survive no more than a few hours without moisture.