Is bacteria organic?

Organic” means a chemical compound containing carbon. Bacteria contain carbon compounds. Therefore, yes, bacteria are organic. read more

“Organic” means a chemical compound containing carbon. Bacteria contain carbon compounds. Therefore, yes, bacteria are organic. The alternative to organic is “inorganic” which applies mainly to rocks, air, purified water, and other non-living material. read more

Bacteria that use inorganic compounds such as hydrogren, carbon monoxide, or ammonia as sources of electrons are called lithotrophs, while those that use organic compounds are called organotrophs. read more

Bacteria can use most organic and some inorganic compounds as food, and some can survive extreme conditions. A growing interest in the function of the gut microbiome is shedding new light on the roles bacteria play in human health. read more