By T.M LUKHELE

● A microorganim is a very small organism.

● We can see it using a microscope.

Benefits of Micro-organisms

There are many different benefits from micro-organisms. They include :

Certain microbes can help us in the fight against other microbes. In human medicine, that are used to treat and prevent infectious diseases, microbes are a source of antibiotics and vaccines.

They help purify waste water in waste treatment facilities

They hep reduce atmospheric nitrogen and transform it into ammonia which is important for agriculture.

Harmful effects of micro-organisms

With every Benefit comes a harmful effect of micro-organisms.

These effects include:

Micro-organisms, especially molds, can trigger respiratory infections and allergies if they grow in our workplaces or homes

Bacteria and fungi are common causes of malodor in home textiles, clothing, and footwear

Bacteria and other microbes are frequent contaminants of food and water, which can lead to food poisoning and serious illness.

•Bacteria•Algae•Virus•Fungi

•Protozoa

Bacteria:Bacteria: Are a singular cellular micro-organism, that vary in shapes and sizes. Some cause

infections and disease, while others cure infections and disease.

They reproduce asexually.

Bacterium grow on soil, hot springs, radioactive material , sea water, and even in the Earth’s crust.

Fact!Fact!There are around There are around 40 million 40 million bacterial cells in a gram of bacterial cells in a gram of soil,soil, and and 1 million 1 million

bacterial bacterial cells in a cells in a millimetre of water.millimetre of water.

Where can I find them: Where can I find them:

MMany foods and medicines involve bacteria produced; EG insulin producing bacteria genetically engineered to cure illnesses such as diabetes .

Medicine Industry (antibiotics)Tanning of leatherWine IndustryLactobacillus (converts curd into milk)Bacteria living in the gut of herbivore animals break down cellulose.Synthesis of vitamin b complexDecompose matterNitrogen fixation

Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, autotrophic organisms (organisms that can make their own food), ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms.

Where are they found ?Algae are usually found in moist, damp or aquatic placesDoes algae have chlorophyll or not?Alga is the only being other than plants containing chlorophyll . Alga also is

the only being except plants to photosynthesize.

Some algae :SpirogyraChlamydomonasVolvoxKelp

Uses of alga :Ice-creamToothpastesMedicinesAgar gel (food for biotechnological experiments)Oxygen to the atmosphere

Virus: Virus: They are smaller than bacteria, and

reproduce by effecting a host cell. They have a protein coating rather than a

cell membrane. They contain DNA.

Example:Example:

AIDS:

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome is a set of symptoms and infections resulting to the damage of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency (act of damaging the immune system) virus (HIV).

Fungi: Organisms that use living or dead organisms as

food by breaking them down and then absorbing the substances into their cells.

Fungi make up one of the five kingdoms of living things on Earth. Mushrooms, yeast and molds are types of fungi.

Example:Example:

Basidiomycetes:

They look a bit like clubs or baseball bats. This division includes mushrooms, puffballs and earth stars. They could be found in forests or farmed as vegetables, for eating.

Are single-celled organism witch can cause diseases. Such us malaria and sleeping sickness. They can also be useful, for example in the treatment of sewage where they eat harmful bacteria.

Bacteria is involved in the decomposition of plants and animals. Its is done by breaking down complex molecules into smaller simple molecules. Bacteria is largely responsible for the recycling of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur.

The Role of Bacteria In The Nitrogen Cycle:The Role of Bacteria In The Nitrogen Cycle:

1. Help preserve food

2. Keep us healthy

3. Breakdown harmful substances

4. Protect us from invading bacteria's

5. Provide us with chemicals we may be deficient of (insulin)

6. Prepare foods such as yogurts and cheese.

Yeast cells are used in the preparation of this yogurt.

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Harleen, micro-organisms http://www.slideshare.net/arshdeepbassi/micro-organisms-10158378?qid=0cd8f5d5-9020-4f75-bb6f-7f109dc7837f&v=default&b=&from_search=3 07-03-2014

Emily, Micro-organisms. http://www.slideshare.net/yr82011/micro-organisms-15230679?qid=0cd8f5d5-9020-4f75-bb6f-7f109dc7837f&v=default&b=&from_search=6 07-03-2014

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