Microorganisms And Us

key notes :

✅ What are Microorganisms?

  • Microorganisms (or microbes) are tiny living organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
  • They can be seen only under a microscope.

🔬 Types of Microorganisms

  1. Bacteria – Single-celled organisms, found everywhere.
  2. Fungi – Includes molds and yeasts.
  3. Protozoa – Single-celled, animal-like organisms (e.g., amoeba).
  4. Algae – Simple, plant-like organisms that live in water.
  5. Viruses – Smaller than bacteria; can reproduce only inside living cells.

💡 Where are Microorganisms Found?

  • In air, water, soil, and inside and outside of our bodies.
  • Can live in extreme conditions like hot springs, icy regions, deserts, and deep oceans.

😊 Useful Microorganisms

  1. In Food Industry:
    • Lactobacillus helps in making curd.
    • Yeast is used in baking (makes dough rise).
    • Fermentation by yeast helps in alcohol production.
  2. In Medicine:
    • Some bacteria produce antibiotics (e.g., Penicillium makes penicillin).
  3. In Agriculture:
    • Rhizobium bacteria fix nitrogen in the soil to help plants grow.
    • Microbes help in composting (decomposing organic waste).
  4. In Cleaning Environment:
    • Decompose dead plants and animals into simpler substances.

😷 Harmful Microorganisms

  1. Cause Diseases in humans, animals, and plants:
    • Human diseases: Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Cholera, COVID-19
    • Plant diseases: Rust in wheat, Citrus canker
  2. Food Spoilage:
    • Microbes can spoil food by growing on it and making it unsafe to eat.

🧴 Preservation of Food

  • To prevent microbial growth, food can be:
    • Refrigerated or frozen
    • Dried
    • Salted or pickled
    • Packed in air-tight containers
    • Preserved with chemicals (e.g., sodium benzoate)

💉 Vaccination

  • Vaccines are weakened or dead microbes that help our body build immunity against diseases.
  • Examples: Polio vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, Measles vaccine

🧫 Nitrogen Cycle

  • Microorganisms play a vital role in the nitrogen cycle, converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms usable by plants.

📌 Summary

  • Microorganisms can be both helpful and harmful.
  • They play important roles in food production, healthcare, agriculture, and environmental balance.
  • Good hygiene, food preservation, and vaccination help protect us from harmful microbes.

Let’s practice!