• Question: which is the most dominant organism on the planet?

    Asked by followtheyellowbrickroad to Stephen, Tom on 24 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Stephen Curry

      Stephen Curry answered on 24 Jun 2010:

      Hi followtheyellowbrickroad

      I think it depends on your point of view. Some might say humans because we are everywhere on the planet and probably having a big effect on it.

      But in terms of numbers, there are way more bacteria. In fact, about 90% of the cells in your body are bacteria – so even in you, the bacteria win 9-1!

    • Photo: Tom Hartley

      Tom Hartley answered on 24 Jun 2010:

      Hi followtheyellowbrickroad,

      I answered a similar question earlier on in IAS, and I came to the conclusion that it was likely to be one of the bacterial species. They can breed very quickly and can overcome much larger organisms. I am afraid I couldn’t pick a particular bacterium. I think beetles (many species, resiliant, diverse, widespread) and humans (which are large animals with a very wide range, and a unique -?- culture) would come very close, too.

      I hope you won’t mind if I use this as an opportunity to ask for your vote on Friday – if you want to know why, check out my video blog.

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