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Questions and Answers
What is a characteristic of microorganisms?
What is a characteristic of microorganisms?
What structures might you observe on moist bread during the rainy season?
What structures might you observe on moist bread during the rainy season?
Which of the following is NOT one of the four major groups of microorganisms?
Which of the following is NOT one of the four major groups of microorganisms?
Why are viruses considered unique among microorganisms?
Why are viruses considered unique among microorganisms?
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Which of the following diseases is caused by bacteria?
Which of the following diseases is caused by bacteria?
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What tool is necessary to view most microorganisms?
What tool is necessary to view most microorganisms?
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Which of these is an example of a disease caused by protozoans?
Which of these is an example of a disease caused by protozoans?
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What might you observe in a drop of pond water under a microscope?
What might you observe in a drop of pond water under a microscope?
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In which environments can microorganisms survive?
In which environments can microorganisms survive?
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What role does Lactobacillus play in curd formation?
What role does Lactobacillus play in curd formation?
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How does yeast contribute to the making of bread and cakes?
How does yeast contribute to the making of bread and cakes?
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Which of the following statements is true about friendly microorganisms?
Which of the following statements is true about friendly microorganisms?
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Which of the following microorganisms live as single-celled organisms?
Which of the following microorganisms live as single-celled organisms?
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Why is yeast powder added to dough in baking?
Why is yeast powder added to dough in baking?
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Which microorganism is involved in fixing nitrogen to increase soil fertility?
Which microorganism is involved in fixing nitrogen to increase soil fertility?
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Microorganisms like amoeba usually live
Microorganisms like amoeba usually live
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Study Notes
Microorganisms: Friends and Foe
- Microorganisms are living organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye and are present all around us.
- Examples of microorganisms include the greyish white patches that grow on moist bread and the tiny organisms found in water and soil.
Observation of Microorganisms
- Using a magnifying glass, you can observe tiny, black, rounded structures on the surface of moist bread.
- Under a microscope, you can see microorganisms in water and soil, such as tiny organisms moving around in a drop of pond water.
Classification of Microorganisms
- Microorganisms can be classified into four major groups: bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and some algae.
- Examples of microorganisms are shown in Figs. 1.1-1.4.
Viruses
- Viruses are microscopic and can only reproduce inside the cells of a host organism, which can be a bacterium, plant, or animal.
- Viruses cause common ailments like cold, influenza, and most coughs, as well as serious diseases like polio and chicken pox.
- Examples of viruses are shown in Fig. 1.5.
Diseases Caused by Microorganisms
- Protozoans cause diseases like dysentery and malaria.
- Bacterial diseases include typhoid and tuberculosis (TB).
Microorganisms: Habitat and Structure
- Microorganisms can survive in various environments, including extreme temperatures (ice cold to hot springs), deserts, marshy lands, and inside animal bodies.
- Single-celled microorganisms include bacteria, algae, and protozoa.
- Multicellular microorganisms include algae and fungi.
Microorganisms: Role in Human Life
- Microorganisms play a crucial role in human life, with both beneficial and harmful effects.
- Beneficial microorganisms are used in various industries, such as food, medicine, and environment.
- Harmful microorganisms can cause diseases in humans.
Beneficial Microorganisms
- Microorganisms are used in food production, such as:
- Curd preparation (Lactobacillus promotes curd formation)
- Bread making (yeast reproduces rapidly, producing carbon dioxide)
- Cheese, pickles, and other food items
- Microorganisms are used in:
- Medicinal production
- Environmental cleanup
- Increasing soil fertility by fixing nitrogen
Microorganisms in Food Production
- Lactobacillus is a bacterium involved in curd formation.
- Yeast is used in bread making, producing carbon dioxide and causing dough to rise.
- Yeast is also used in the baking industry for making pastries, cakes, and other products.
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Description
Introduction to microorganisms, their types and effects on our environment, including spoilage of bread.
