Bacteria

Bacteria are microscopic unicellular organisms who lack membrane enclosed organelles; they are prokaryotic. Bacteria are classified into different types based on their shape. THey are mostly asexual. "Many bacteria form a single spore when their food supply runs low. Most of the water is removed from the spore and metabolism ceases. Spores are so resistant to adverse conditions of temperature and dryness that they may remain viable even after fifty years of dormancy." Human interact with bacteria in a number of ways. Certain types of bacteria are used commercially to help produce products such as yogurts and cheeses. Other types of bacteria are dangerous to humans and can cause illness. Still others exist symbiotically with us, living within the digestive tract, not causing any harm.

The purpose of hand sanitizers like this one are to kill bacteria that may cause illness. During the Swine Flu scare a couple years ago, they became increasingly more popular.