2006-11-23 05:42:16 · 7 answers · asked by Bock 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Yes they can. Actually it is a method for inserting plasmids into bacteria called electroporation.
However it does depend on more factors than just the voltage (like the resistance of the medium, amperage of the current) so I cannot really give you the value of lowest voltage that would kill the cells.
2006-11-23 23:10:25 · answer #1 · answered by bellerophon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A bacterium is effectively just a big bag of salty water. Salt decomposes into ions and will therefore conduct electricity, possibly causing chemical reactions in the bacterium. So it's quite plausible that bacteria could be killed be small electric currents. However, when a bacteria is in harms way it may release spores which can withstand all sorts of attack and will grow into new bacteria over time.
2006-11-23 13:53:18 · answer #2 · answered by Paul E 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main issue would be that it would heat up the substance the bacteria was in, resulting in many of the bacteria being killed by being boiled. This problem also occurs when a person is electrocuted.
2006-11-23 13:54:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes bacteria can withstand electrical shock!
it just depends on the intensity of the electrical current, if it is pulsed or constant, what substrate the bacteria is in, the size of the colony being treated with electricity, and its own resitance to electrical curent.
2006-11-23 14:11:18 · answer #4 · answered by qncyguy21 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How can bacteria receive an electric shock? They do not have hearts, brains and central nervous systems.
2006-11-23 13:45:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes high voltages kill bacteria
2006-11-23 13:59:09 · answer #6 · answered by red rose 5 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't you mean "If no..." ??!?!
And i don't know im afraid, try www.wikipedia.org
2006-11-23 13:43:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋