Questions and Answers
Who first established the existence of bacteria?
What is the oldest form of life on earth?
Why are viruses unique?
Where do microorganisms live?
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What are extremophiles?
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What is the role of microorganisms in the environment?
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How many bacteria are found on the human body?
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Which microorganism helps in the formation of curd?
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What is the chemical name of vinegar?
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What are antibiotics?
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Study Notes
Microorganisms and Microbiology
- Microorganisms are tiny living organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
- Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, including their structure, function, and behavior.
Discovery of Microorganisms
- The discovery of microorganisms was possible through the invention of the microscope.
- Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch tradesman, is credited with the discovery of bacteria in 1676.
Characteristics of Microorganisms
- Microorganisms can be divided into groups based on their characteristics, such as cell structure, metabolism, and environment.
- There are several groups of microorganisms, including:
- Bacteria (e.g. E. coli, Staphylococcus)
- Viruses (e.g. influenza, HIV)
- Fungi (e.g. yeast, mushrooms)
- Protists (e.g. protozoa, algae)
Viruses
- Viruses are unique because they are not considered living cells, but rather pieces of genetic material surrounded by a protein coat.
- When viruses are floating in the air, they can remain infectious for a period of time.
- Non-living characteristics of viruses include:
- Not carrying out metabolic processes
- Not responding to stimuli
- Not growing or reproducing
- Living characteristics of viruses include:
- Reproducing inside host cells
- Evolving over time
Habitat of Microorganisms
- Microorganisms can be found everywhere, including in the air, water, soil, and inside living organisms.
- They can live in extreme environments, such as hot springs, deep-sea vents, and Antarctic ice.
- Extremophiles are microorganisms that thrive in extreme conditions, such as high temperatures, high salinity, or high pressure.
- Hyperthermophiles are microorganisms that thrive in extremely high temperatures, above 80°C.
- Hypoliths are microorganisms that live in rocks, obtaining nutrients from the minerals.
- Cryophiles are microorganisms that grow better in cold temperatures, below 20°C.
Importance of Microorganisms
- Microorganisms play a crucial role in the environment, including:
- Decomposing organic matter
- Recycling nutrients
- Producing oxygen
- Influencing the climate
- Example of a biogeochemical cycle: the nitrogen cycle
- Two examples of harmful activities of microorganisms:
- Causing disease in humans, animals, and plants
- Spoiling food and water
Microorganisms in the Human Body
- Microorganisms are important for our body's health, with an estimated 10^14 microorganisms living on and inside the human body.
- The number of bacteria in different parts of the body:
- Hands: 10^3 - 10^4 per square inch
- Armpits: 10^8 per square inch
- Scalp: 10^5 per square inch
- Faeces: 10^11 per gram
- Saliva: 10^9 per milliliter
- Nose mucus: 10^8 per milliliter
- Forehead: 10^3 - 10^4 per square inch
Microorganisms in Food and Industry
- Microorganisms are used in food production, such as:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus helps in the formation of curd by fermenting lactose.
- Yeast helps in the bakery by fermenting sugars.
- Fermentation is a process in which microorganisms convert organic compounds into energy.
- Microorganisms are used in the production of alcoholic beverages, such as beer and wine.
- The chemical name of vinegar is acetic acid.
- Effluent is wastewater that is released into the environment.
- Bioaugmentation is the use of microorganisms to clean up pollutants in the environment.
Microorganisms and Human Health
- Microorganisms in the alimentary canal are beneficial to human health, including:
- Helping with digestion and nutrient absorption
- Producing vitamins and hormones
- Regulating the immune system
- Antibiotics are chemicals that inhibit the growth of microorganisms, and are used to treat bacterial infections.
- Two examples of antibiotics obtained from fungi:
- Penicillin
- Streptomycin
- Antibiotics are beneficial for human health because they help to treat infections and prevent the spread of disease.
- Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system in response to the presence of microorganisms, and help to protect the body against infection.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of microorganisms and microbiology in this quiz. Learn about the discovery of bacteria, the classification of microorganisms, and the unique characteristics of viruses. This quiz will test your knowledge on the oldest life forms on Earth and the dividing groups of microorganisms.
