3 ms·
"The human body contains over 10 times more microbial cells than human cells, although the entire microbiome only weighs about 200 grams (7.1 oz), with some wei
by wrongc0ntinent 13y ago
"The human body contains over 10 times more microbial cells than human cells, although the entire microbiome only weighs about 200 grams (7.1 oz), with some weight estimates ranging as high as 3 pounds (approximately 48 ounces or 1,400 grams)." [0]
You would literally not be the same animal you are now had bacteria not helped you along the way.
[0]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbiome http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbiome
- SoftwareMaven 13y agoYou would be dead without the bacteria you have to help you along. But I'm not sure how this relates to a planet where said bacteria, if they exist, are sitting at the top of the biological pyramid.
- wrongc0ntinent 13y agoYeah, funny thing "defending" bacteria. I guess my point is that very simple organisms can have large a impact (on us, given the anthropocentric view I'm replying to here). Viruses for instance.
- JoeAltmaier 13y agoIn a vibrant ecosystem, sure. But Mars is a dessicated husk of what might once have been a green thriving world. These remaining bacteria/fungi/whatever are like bugs on a corpse. Not an ecosystem; a fragment of a perhaps once-complex ecosystem and worth study. But not anything that should prevent or delay exploration of a planet.
- wrongc0ntinent 13y agoHopefully :)