What does it mean to be a successful organism? Bacteria are certainly the most numerous organisms on Earth, they live in nearly all environments, and they are the least suspectible to being eliminated through environmental catastrophe. Are they Earth's most successful organisms? Why do you agree or disagree with this concept?
2007-02-25 09:20:00 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Excluding humans, to be successful is classed as being able to pass your genes on to many progeny. Bacteria are the best at that. The fastest replication time is around 8-10min. And you are right about the being able to survive "envriomental" catastrophe.
Did you know there is one species that can resist radiation levels high enough to melt glass, but not only that, it can carry on dividing! It can have its genome completely fragmented, and it sticks it back together again!!
So I agree
2007-02-25 11:13:18 · answer #1 · answered by Bacteria Boy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends upon your definition of success. Bacteria perform life's activiteis very well as unicellular organisms. Their reproductive rate is astonishingy fast and some extremophiles live in acidic, high salt, or high temp conditions that would kill anything else. But- movement is limited, no true sexual reproduction, and no nervous system capable of thought.
2007-02-25 17:38:07 · answer #2 · answered by bioguy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋