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My understanding of bacterial disease is that generally the disease itself is caused by bacteria emitting various toxins, either as waste materials or as part o
by nerdponx 3y ago
My understanding of bacterial disease is that generally the disease itself is caused by bacteria emitting various toxins, either as waste materials or as part of their defense system.
Does it make sense that a commensal bacterium would evolve into something dangerous?
- Sparkyte 3y agoDepends on the environment. We all evolve due to our surrounding environment. Being stronger doesn't necessarily mean defensive, it might mean longer life cycles. More waste as you said.
- vkou 3y agoIt could, evolution is a drunkard's walk. It would be unlikely to outcompete its commensal siblings that don't damage the host.
- Sparkyte 3y agoMany times in history we have seen bad evolution do something and kill itself out. Possible heavily fertilized plants contributed into strengthening the bacteria too. They eat plants. Some gut microbiomes can become a lot stronger just from what we eat and be the leading cause of a particular dementia. Weird I know.