does bacteria harm each other?

[kandarp shah]

HI.....
I have confused mind about bacteria.
does all species of bacteria harm each other? like E.COIL bacteria harm other E.COIL bacteria?
and E.COIL bacteria can be found on human skin and inside the human skins.....so how do they affect our body?
can u guys pl... give me some easy to understand web sites realiting to bactreria?
thanks .....
i'll truly appreciate your help.

[MrMistery]

The only way that bacteria harm other bacteria is by the fact that they compete for nutrients and by the fact that each bacteria eliminates toxic wastes that limit the grouth of all the bacteria around, including itself. Actually they are 2 ways, lol. Another way, but not universally valid are antibiotics. Some bacteria produce antibiotics that kill other bacteria. Each species of bacteria has it's own reaction to antibiotics. The genus that gives out the most antibiotics is streptomices.
On the E.coli question, i am sure Patrick can answer

[mith]

I think you mean excrete wastes which inhibit growth of other bacteria

[kandarp shah]

HI.....
I have confused mind about bacteria.
does all species of bacteria harm each other? like E.COIL bacteria harm other E.COIL bacteria?
and E.COIL bacteria can be found on human skin and inside the human skins.....so how do they affect our body?
can u guys pl... give me some easy to understand web sites realiting to bactreria?
thanks .....
i'll truly appreciate your help.

thanks for your quick reply u both moderater. but still i am not satisfied as i should pl.... send me some web site.
thanks.

[Winter]

Here are two sites about bacteria in general :

- http://www.bacteriamuseum.org/
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacterium

[kandarp shah]

Here are two sites about bacteria in general :

- http://www.bacteriamuseum.org/
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacterium

thanks kathy......this is a lot helpfull to me