Microorganisms and Properties of Life

Microorganisms: Tiny Titans of the Living World

• Microorganisms have a huge impact on the world, despite being small
• They are involved in ecosystems and human health
• Their functions include running ecosystems and influencing gut health

The Properties of Life

• Living things have specific traits, including organization, metabolism, growth, reproduction, homeostasis, response to stimuli, and evolution
• Cells are the basic building blocks of life
• Metabolism is the process by which living things use energy
• Growth and development occur across the life cycle of microorganisms
• Reproduction is how microorganisms create more of themselves
• Maintaining stability is homeostasis
• Responding to the environment is how living organisms adapt
• Evolution is how living things change over generations

The Kingdoms of Life

• There are five kingdoms in the classification system: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia
• Microorganisms play significant roles in several of these kingdoms
• Monera includes bacteria and archaea (prokaryotes)
• Protista includes algae, protozoa, and slime molds (eukaryotes)
• Fungi includes yeasts and molds
• Plantae includes microscopic algae
• Animalia includes some microbes such as rotifers

Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes: The Microscopic Showdown

• Prokaryotes are simple, single-celled organisms
• Eukaryotes are more complex, often multicellular organisms
• Prokaryotes lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
• Eukaryotes have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles

Prokaryotes

• Single-celled organisms like bacteria
• Lack a nucleus; DNA is free-floating
• Fewer organelles compared to eukaryotes
• Very small

Eukaryotes

• Single or multicellular organisms including plants, animals, fungi, and protists
• Have a nucleus to store DNA
• Numerous organelles
• Larger than prokaryotes

General Properties and Biodiversity of Microorganisms

• Microbes are present in soil, water, air, and even the human body
• They are invisible to the naked eye; microscopes are needed to view them
• Microorganisms, though small, form a large component of the biomass on Earth
• Different types exist, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists, and viruses
• Many show symbiosis with other organisms (mutualism, commensalism, parasitism)

Symbiosis: Microorganisms as Besties or Frenemies

• Mutualism: Both organisms benefit (e.g., gut bacteria helping digestion)
• Commensalism: One benefits, the other is unaffected (e.g., bacteria on skin)
• Parasitism: One benefits, the other is harmed (e.g., disease-causing bacteria)

Pathogens: The Bad Apples

• Pathogens are microorganisms that cause diseases
• Examples include bacteria that cause strep throat, and viruses that cause the flu

Saprophytic Role: Nature's Recycling Squad

• Saprophytes are organisms that break down dead or decaying matter
• These organisms play a crucial role in recycling nutrients

Explore the fascinating world of microorganisms and their essential role in ecosystems and human health. This quiz also covers the fundamental properties of life and the five kingdoms of classification. Test your knowledge on how these tiny organisms impact the living world around us.