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Chapter 8

Microorganisms can be classified into five types - protozoa, fungi, algae, bacteria, and viruses. They are impacted by abiotic factors like temperature, pH, light intensity, and nutrients. Most microbes thrive at 35-40°C but can be killed above 60°C. Neutral pH is suitable for many but slightly alkaline and acidic environments also support some microbes. Autotrophs need light for photosynthesis while heterotrophs obtain nutrients through parasitism or saprophytism. Abiotic factors control the growth, reproduction, and activities of microorganisms.

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186 views

Chapter 8

Microorganisms can be classified into five types - protozoa, fungi, algae, bacteria, and viruses. They are impacted by abiotic factors like temperature, pH, light intensity, and nutrients. Most microbes thrive at 35-40°C but can be killed above 60°C. Neutral pH is suitable for many but slightly alkaline and acidic environments also support some microbes. Autotrophs need light for photosynthesis while heterotrophs obtain nutrients through parasitism or saprophytism. Abiotic factors control the growth, reproduction, and activities of microorganisms.

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edain84
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CHAPTER 8

DYNAMIC ECOSYSTEM

8.5 THE IMPACT OF MICROORGANISMS ON LIFE

Microorganisms are microscopic organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye and it is all around us.

Most microbes are harmless and useful to humans. Others can cause diseases in plants and animals including humans.

8.5 THE IMPACT OF MICROORGANISMS ON LIFE


TYPES OF MICROORGANISMS. Microorganisms can be classified into five types based on their basic characteristics; a) Protozoa b) Fungi c) Algae d) Bacteria e) Virus

8.5 THE IMPACT OF MICROORGANISMS ON LIFE


PROTOZOA

Aquatic unicellular animal Can be seen under a microscope at low power Has nucleus, cytoplasm and is surrounded by a plasma membrane Takes in food (feeding), removes excretory products and reproduces They use flagella, cilia or pseudopodia to move Reproduces sexually and asexually Lives freely in the river, pond, fresh water, soil or on another organism. Some live in parasites. Examples: Amoeba sp., Paramecium sp., Plasmodium sp. (parasite)

8.5 THE IMPACT OF MICROORGANISMS ON LIFE


FUNGI Heterotrophic multicellular or unicellular eukaryotes which do not have chlorophyll Can be seen under a microscope at low power or with a magnifying glass Cell walls are made up of chitin. Feeds by secreting enzymes that break the surrounding organic material down into simple molecules before they are absorbed Reproduces by budding and formation of spores Examples: Yeast, Mucor sp., mushroom

8.5 THE IMPACT OF MICROORGANISMS ON LIFE


ALGAE Exists as unicellular, in a colony and in filaments Contains chlorophyll Carries out aerobic respiration Reproduces asexually and sexually Lives in sea, pond, river, paddy field, tree stem, damp soil Examples: Phytoplankton, Pleurococcus sp., Spirogyra sp.

8.5 THE IMPACT OF MICROORGANISMS ON LIFE


VIRUS Smallest microorganisms which can only be seen under an electron microscope Consists of nucleic acid that is ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic (DNA) Has no cytoplasm, nucleus or plasma membrane Has a layer of protein for protection Exists as crystals outside host cells, no signs of life Examples: Bacteriophage, tobacco mosaic fluid, influenza virus

8.5 THE IMPACT OF MICROORGANISMS ON LIFE


BACTERIA Unicellular organisms which have a basic cell structure that includes a cell wall, plasma membrane and DNA that is not enclosed in a membrane Has cell walls made of a polymer called peptidoglycan Reproduces asexually by binary fission Form spores when conditions are not suitable Their shape may be spherical, rod-shaped or spiral. Examples: Lactobacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp.

8.5 THE IMPACT OF MICROORGANISMS ON LIFE


THE EFFECTS OF ABIOTIC COMPONENTS ON THE ACTIVITY OF MICROORGANISMS The activities of microorganisms such as respiration, growth and reproduction is affected by the following abiotic components : a) Temperature b) pH value c) Light intensity d) nutrients

8.5 THE IMPACT OF MICROORGANISMS ON LIFE


TEMPERATURE The optimum temperature for the growth of most microorganisms is 35-40 C. At low temperature, microorganisms such as bacteria or yeast are not active and the growth rate is slow. At temperature above 60 C, most microorganisms die as the high temperature is not suitable for growth and reproduction of microorganisms. This is because at very high temperatures, enzymes in the microorganisms are denatured.

8.5 THE IMPACT OF MICROORGANISMS ON LIFE


pH value Every microorganism has its own optimum pH value Most microorganisms live best in a neutral or nearly neutral pH environment. However, a slightly alkaline medium is more suitable for the growth and reproduction of bacteria. A slightly acidic medium is more suitable for the growth of fungi. A pH value that is too low or too high can inhibit growth and destroy most microorganisms.

8.5 THE IMPACT OF MICROORGANISMS ON LIFE


LIGHT INTENSITY Microorganisms that are autotrophs need light for photosynthesis. At a suitable light intensity, the growth of autotrophic microorganisms is at its optimum. The activities of other microorganisms is inhabited under a high light intensity because the ultraviolet rays can destroy these microorganisms. In the dark, growth and reproduction of microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria and protozoa occur actively.

8.5 THE IMPACT OF MICROORGANISMS ON LIFE


NUTRIENTS Proper nutrients are required for the activities of microorganisms. Autotrophs such as the algae obtain its inorganic nutrients from the surroundings. Microorganisms that are heterotrophs obtain their nutrients in the form of starch, fat, glucose and amino acid by means of saprophytism or parasitism.

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