But a recent study is highlighting that, in some cases, the microscopic organisms will follow those commands by any means necessary. D’Souza explained that while most bacteria absorb nutrients from the environment around them, it’s “textbook behavior” for certain species to kill each other. In some instances, usually harmless bacteria will turn to violence if desperate. Previously, microbiologists believed that bacteria mostly used their T6SS to eradicate rivals and make space for their own growth. But after utilizing timelapse imaging and other genetic analysis tools, the team recorded various bacteria using T6SS in a startling way.