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