Beneficial Microorganisms in Food, Health and Environment

Study Notes

Beneficial Microorganisms

Food Production:
- Yeast (fermentation in baking and brewing)
- Bacteria (lactobacillus in yogurt and cheese production)
Human Health:
- Gut microbiome: beneficial bacteria aid digestion and immune system function
- Probiotics: live microorganisms that confer health benefits when consumed
Environment:
- Decomposition: microorganisms break down organic matter, recycling nutrients
- Nitrogen fixation: certain bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable form
Agriculture:
- Rhizobia: bacteria that fix nitrogen in legume roots, increasing crop yield
- Mycorrhizal fungi: symbiotic relationships with plant roots, enhancing nutrient uptake

Pathogenic Microorganisms

Bacterial Pathogens:
- Gram-positive: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Gram-negative: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Viral Pathogens:
- DNA viruses: Adenovirus, Herpesvirus
- RNA viruses: Influenza, HIV
Fungal Pathogens:
- Moulds: Aspergillus, Fusarium
- Yeasts: Candida albicans
Protozoan Pathogens:
- Parasites: Plasmodium (malaria), Giardia lamblia

Antibiotic Resistance

Mechanisms of Resistance:
- Genetic mutation: bacteria develop mutations to evade antibiotic action
- Horizontal gene transfer: bacteria share resistant genes
- Efflux pumps: bacteria expel antibiotics from cells
Consequences of Antibiotic Resistance:
- Increased morbidity and mortality: infections becoming harder to treat
- Prolonged hospital stays: increased healthcare costs
- Emergence of superbugs: highly resistant bacterial strains
Strategies to Combat Antibiotic Resistance:
- Antibiotic stewardship: responsible antibiotic use
- Vaccine development: prevention of infections
- Development of new antibiotics: research into novel antimicrobial compounds

Beneficial Microorganisms

Yeast is used in fermentation for baking and brewing
Lactobacillus bacteria are used in yogurt and cheese production
The gut microbiome consists of beneficial bacteria that aid digestion and immune system function
Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits when consumed
Microorganisms break down organic matter, recycling nutrients through decomposition
Certain bacteria, such as rhizobia, convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form through nitrogen fixation
Mycorrhizal fungi have symbiotic relationships with plant roots, enhancing nutrient uptake
Rhizobia bacteria fix nitrogen in legume roots, increasing crop yield

Pathogenic Microorganisms

Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive bacterial pathogen
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a gram-positive bacterial pathogen
Escherichia coli is a gram-negative bacterial pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative bacterial pathogen
Adenovirus is a DNA virus that causes disease
Herpesvirus is a DNA virus that causes disease
Influenza is an RNA virus that causes disease
HIV is an RNA virus that causes disease
Aspergillus is a mould that causes disease
Fusarium is a mould that causes disease
Candida albicans is a yeast that causes disease
Plasmodium is a protozoan parasite that causes malaria
Giardia lamblia is a protozoan parasite that causes disease

Antibiotic Resistance

Bacteria can develop genetic mutations to evade antibiotic action
Bacteria can share resistant genes through horizontal gene transfer
Bacteria can expel antibiotics from cells using efflux pumps
Antibiotic resistance increases morbidity and mortality
Antibiotic resistance leads to prolonged hospital stays and increased healthcare costs
Antibiotic resistance can result in the emergence of superbugs
Antibiotic stewardship involves responsible antibiotic use to combat resistance
Vaccine development can help prevent infections and combat antibiotic resistance
Research into novel antimicrobial compounds is necessary to combat antibiotic resistance

Description

This quiz covers the beneficial roles of microorganisms in food production, human health, and the environment. Topics include fermentation, probiotics, gut microbiome, decomposition, and nitrogen fixation.