A dirt-closet is a form of toilet in which rather than the waste being flushed away to a sewage treatment plant, as happens in a water-closet, the waste is collected in a bucket and then dry earth is poured over the top. The dry earth quickly absorbs the moisture from the waste, preventing it from smelling, and also enables appropriate bacteria to quickly establish themselves and biodegrade the waste into safe matter. The dirt from a dirt-closet may be reused up to five times, and then forms an excellent fertiliser for plants. The domestic dirt-close was popular during the 19th century, until the water-closet gained in popularity. Dirt-closets are environmentally friendly, cheap to operate and produce a useful by-product. Unfortunately they require maintenance, as the bucket in which the waste and dirt collects has to be emptied, and the hopper for the dirt filled. Research Dirt-Closet
The War Of The Worlds is a novel written by H. G. Wells, first published in the 1890's, about an invasion of earth by creatures from the planetMars - who are defeated not by Man, but by earth bacteria. The novel has been adapted as a radio play and as a film and was most famously adapted as a musical by Jeff Wayne and released on a double-album record in 1978. The musical version of the novel featured Richard Burton, Julie Covington, David Essex, Justin Hayward, Phil Lynott, Jo Partridge and Chris Thompson. Research The War Of The Worlds
The Actinomycetes are a group of Gram-positive mostly anaerobic non-motile bacteria. All species are fungus-like, with filamentous cells producing reproductive spores on aerial branches similar to the spores of certain moulds. The group includes bacteria of the genera Actinomyces, some species of which cause disease in animals and man; and Streptomyces, which are a source of many important antibiotics (including streptomycin). Research Actinomycetes
Autotrophism is a type of nutrition in which organisms synthesize the organic materials they require from inorganic sources. Chief sources of carbon and nitrogen are carbon dioxide and nitrates, respectively. All green plants are autotrophic and use light as a source of energy for the synthesis, i.e. they are photoautotrophic. Some bacteria are also photoautotrophic; others are chemoautotrophic, using energy derived from chemical processes. Research Autotrophism
Bacteria are a diverse group of ubiquitous micro organisms all of which consist of only a single cell that lacks a distinct nuclear membrane and has a cell wall of a unique composition.
Bacteria are usually classified by means of Gram's stain, whether or not they require oxygen, and on the basis of shape. A bacterial cell may be spherical, rod-like, spiral, comma-shaped, corkscrew-shaped, or filamentous, resembling a fungal cell. The majority of bacteria range in size from 0.5 to 5 mm. Many are motile, bearing flagella, possess an outer slimy capsule, and produce resistant spores. In general bacteria reproduce only asexually, by simple division of cells, but a few groups undergo a form of sexual reproduction. Bacteria are largely responsible for decay and decomposition of organic matter, producing a cycling of such chemicals as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur. A few bacteria obtain their food by means of photosynthesis, some are saprophytes, and others are parasites, causing disease. The symptoms of bacterial infections are produced by toxins. Research Bacteria
Commensalism is the regular association of different species and genera of plants and animals living together, but independently. Either or both species may benefit by the association. For example, certain bacteria and fungi grow together on a substratum on which either will grow separately, but when the bacteria are present the fungi grow better and are more fruitful. Research Commensalism
Conjugation is a form of sexual reproduction seen in some algae, some bacteria, and ciliate Protozoans. Two individuals are united by a tube formed by outgrowths from one or both of the cells. Genetic material from one cell (designated the male) then passes through the tube to unite with that in the other (female) cell. Research Conjugation
An endospore is the resting stage of certain bacteria, formed in response to adverse conditions. The bacterial cell becomes enclosed in a tough resistant spore coat. When conditions once more become favourable the spore changes back to the normal vegetative form of the organism. Research Endospore
Entophyte was originally a term first applied in the 19th century to minute plant-like organisms growing on or in living animals, or in the tissues of plants. They were believed to all belong to the orders Algae or Fungi. In many cases the growth of the plant appears to be a consequence of the diseased state of the structure, which, in this condition, presents the circumstances favourable for the development of the germ or spore into the plant. The broad term entophyte originally encompassed the then unknown bacteria and viruses (though it was correctly suspected that these organisms could be air-borne and some were responsible for epidemic diseases), by the late 20th century the term entophyte was restricted to a plant living within another plant, bacteria, viruses and the like being removed from the classification. Research Entophyte
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Dirt-Closet
