Aim

• I can identify and describe helpful and harmful microorganisms.

Success Criteria
• I can identify types of microorganism.
• I can describe helpful and harmful microorganisms.
What Are Microorganisms?
Microorganisms are very
tiny living things. They
are so small that they are
not visible to the naked
eye, so a microscope is
needed to see them.
Microorganisms can be
found all around us. They
can live on and in our
bodies, in the air, in
water and on the objects
around us. They can be
found in almost every
habitat on Earth.
 What Are Microorganisms?
Some animals and plants are microorganisms. Examples include dust mites and plankton.

Photo courtesy of arkhangellohim @flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution Photo courtesy of picksfromoutthere (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution

Plankton are microscopic organisms

A magnified image of a household drifting in fresh or sea water,
dust mite. including plants and animals.
 What Are Microorganisms?
Other microorganisms are fungi, such as mould, yeast and Penicillium.

Photo courtesy of nsalt @flickr.com) - granted under Photo courtesy of mmu-engage @flickr.com) - granted under Photo courtesy of notahipster (@flickr.com) - granted under
creative commons licence – attribution creative commons licence – attribution creative commons licence – attribution

Mould is the common

Penicillium fungus is Yeast is a microscopic
word for any fungus
used to make the fungus that can be used
that grows on food or
antibiotic penicillin. to raise bread dough.
other materials.
What Are Microorganisms?
Bacteria are single-
celled microorganisms.
Bacteria are found in
diverse habitats all over
the Earth.
This image was
produced by a scanning
electron microscope. It
shows a clump of
staphylococcus
epidermidis bacteria
that is typically found
growing on human
skin, usually
Photo courtesy of niaid @flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution
harmlessly.
 What Are Microorganisms?
Sometimes viruses are called
microorganisms, but they are not
really alive. They are infectious
agents that can replicate only inside
the cells of living things. Scientists
disagree on whether or not to call
viruses microorganisms. In this
lesson we will consider them to be
unusual microorganisms.
Photo courtesy of kat m research @flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution

This image is a scanning electron

micrograph of an influenza virus
particle. This microorganism could
cause you to have the flu.
 Helpful or Harmful?
Some microorganisms can be helpful in certain situations. Others can be
harmful, and their spread needs to be controlled or contained.
 Helpful or Harmful?
These examples show some of the helpful uses of microorganisms.

Bacteria are used to ferment Yeast ferments the

milk as part of the cheese carbohydrates found in grapes to Yoghurt is made using milk that
making process. make alcoholic wine. has been soured by bacteria.

Microorganisms feed on Antibiotics are used to kill

leaves, plants and other bacteria that cause infections.
Yeast is added to bread dough to matter, decomposing it and They are created from fungi
make it rise. creating compost. such as Penicillium.
 Helpful or Harmful?
These examples show how microorganisms can be harmful to us. Harmful microorganisms are
often called germs.

Food poisoning can be caused The influenza virus causes flu

by bacteria that grow on Chicken pox is caused by a symptoms, such as a headache
uncooked or undercooked food. virus. It spreads very easily. and fever.

Athlete's foot is caused by a Plaque on our teeth is formed The fungi that grow on food are
fungus that grows between when bacteria in the mouth called moulds. Mould can make
the toes. combine with small food you ill if you eat it.
particles.
 Aim
• I can identify and describe helpful and harmful microorganisms.

Success Criteria
• I can identify types of microorganism.
• I can describe helpful and harmful microorganisms.