Microbiology
Bacteria
Single-celled prokaryotic microorganisms lacking a nucleus. Bacteria are among the oldest and most abundant life forms, found in virtually every environment on Earth.
Biological Context
Bacteria perform essential ecosystem functions: decomposition, nitrogen fixation, and nutrient cycling. The human body contains trillions of bacteria, mostly beneficial. Pathogenic bacteria cause disease, but most species are harmless or helpful.
Business Application
Bacterial businesses: small, simple, fast-reproducing. Startups, gig workers, and micro-enterprises operate bacterially—minimal structure, rapid adaptation, horizontal information transfer. They're individually insignificant but collectively powerful.