Scribd
Upload
43 views

Life Processes of Microorganisms

Microorganisms are tiny living things that cannot be seen with the naked eye. There are several types including fungi, protozoa, bacteria, viruses, and algae. Like other living things, microorganisms carry out life processes such as breathing, moving, growing, and reproduction. Some microorganisms are beneficial and are used to produce foods like cheese and yogurt, while others can be harmful and cause spoiled food, diseases, tooth decay, or food poisoning. Practicing good hygiene including hand washing and food safety can help prevent the spread of harmful microorganisms.

Uploaded by

Amy F.Y. Chang
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
43 views

Life Processes of Microorganisms

Microorganisms are tiny living things that cannot be seen with the naked eye. There are several types including fungi, protozoa, bacteria, viruses, and algae. Like other living things, microorganisms carry out life processes such as breathing, moving, growing, and reproduction. Some microorganisms are beneficial and are used to produce foods like cheese and yogurt, while others can be harmful and cause spoiled food, diseases, tooth decay, or food poisoning. Practicing good hygiene including hand washing and food safety can help prevent the spread of harmful microorganisms.

Uploaded by

Amy F.Y. Chang
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Life Processes of Microorganisms

 
Microorganisms are living things that can be found around us. This chapter will explain more on the types of microorganisms, harmful
effects of microorganisms and uses of microorganisms.
 

3.1  Life Processes of Microorganisms


 
Microorganisms are living things that cannot be seen with the naked eye and can only be seen using a microscope and a magnifying glass.
There are several types of microorganisms and these living things also carry out life processes like other living things.
 
  Definition  
     
  Microorganisms are tiny living things that cannot be seen with the naked eyes  
     
 
  Microorganisms  
     
  Fungi  

Examples: Yeast, mucor, penicillium, mould


Characteristics: Only mould can be seen with the naked eye, can be found on bread, rice and some types of fruits
 
Protozoa

Examples: Ameoba, paramecium
Characteristics: The habitat of protozoa are ponds, lakes and rivers (live in places where there is water)
 
Bacteria

Examples: Bacillus, salmonella, streptococcus, E.Coli


Characteristics: Exist in many shapes, sizes and colors, can be found in the air, soil, water, food and in the body of living or dead
organisms
 
Viruses

Examples: HIV, Influenza virus
Characteristics: The tiniest microorganisms. Viruses can only be seen under an electron microscope
 
Algae

Examples: Spirogyra, phytoplankton
Characteristics: Have the charateristics of plants. Enable to make their own food through the process of photosynthesis
     
 
Life Process of Microorganisms
Breathing

 Microorganisms use oxygen to breathe and produce carbon dioxide

Moving

 Microorganisms move in different ways

Growing

 Microorganisms undergo a growing process


 Example: mold on bread

 
 
Growth of Microbes

 The growth of microorganisms requires water, air, temperature, nutrients and acidity

 
Useful and harmful microorganisms

 Some of the microorganisms are beneficial to living things and some are harmful to living things.

 
Microorganisms
Harmful Effects Explanation
 Causes changes in texture, appearance, smell and taste
Spoil food  Will experience food poisoning, diarrhea and pain if ingested spoilt food

 Conjunctivitis
 Ringworm
 White spots
Contagious diseases
 Scabies
 Smallpox

 Bacteria that is found in the mouth acts on the bits of food by changing the sugar and starch in the food into
Tooth decay acid

Food Poisoning  Bacteria will reproduce and produce toxin in the instestines
 Symptoms: diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness

 
Uses of Microorganisms
    
Types of Microorganisms Uses
 Cheese
Bacteria  Yogurt

 Fermented soybean
 Bread
  Yeast  
 Fermented rice

 Production of antibiotics and vaccines


Fungi
 Decomposition of organic substances
Bacteria dan fungi

    
 
Live healthily according to the knowledge of microorganisms

 Contagious diseases caused by the spread of microorganisms can be prevented by practicing healthy daily practices.

 
Contagious diseases can be spreaded through:

 Food and drinks


 Sneezing and coughing
 Carrier animals such as flies and mosquitoes
 Touch

 
Healthy daily routines include:

 Washing hands before eating and after coming out from the toilet
 Covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing
 The place where food is prepared must be in clean condition
 Drink boiled water and eat food that is cooked properly

You might also like