Microorganisms 8th level1

Micro-organisms are living things that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Algae, bacteria, and viruses are microscopic, while an ant is a visible insect.

Pathogens are disease-causing micro-organisms, including certain bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

Yeast is a fungus that ferments sugars, producing carbon dioxide gas which causes the dough to rise, making bread and cake fluffy.

Malaria is caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Fermentation is an anaerobic process where micro-organisms like yeast break down sugars into alcohol, carbon dioxide, and energy.

Rhizobium bacteria live in the root nodules of leguminous plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, enriching soil fertility.

Penicillium is a type of mould. The antibiotic penicillin, derived from this fungus, was the first effective antibiotic discovered.

BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine provides immunity against tuberculosis, a serious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs.

The common cold is caused by various viruses, such as rhinoviruses. Typhoid, cholera, and tuberculosis are bacterial diseases.

Pasteurization is the process of heating liquids like milk to a specific temperature for a set time to kill harmful bacteria without affecting the taste or quality.

Lactobacillus bacteria convert the sugar lactose in milk into lactic acid, which coagulates milk proteins to form curd or yogurt.

Dengue virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito, particularly Aedes aegypti.

Antibiotics are chemicals, often derived from fungi or bacteria, that specifically target and destroy bacteria or inhibit their growth.

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen compounds that plants can absorb, which is essential for plant growth and soil fertility.

A microscope is an instrument that uses lenses to magnify tiny objects, making micro-organisms visible to the human eye.

During fermentation, yeast breaks down sugar into alcohol and releases carbon dioxide gas, which is responsible for the rising of dough in baking.

Fungi and bacteria act as decomposers, breaking down dead organic matter into simpler substances, which are then recycled back into the environment.

Antibiotics target the specific cellular structures and processes of bacteria. Viruses have a different structure and replicate inside host cells, so antibiotics do not work against them.

Edward Jenner developed the first successful vaccine in 1796 by using cowpox material to create immunity against smallpox.

The female Anopheles mosquito is the vector for malaria. It transmits the Plasmodium parasite when it bites a human to obtain blood for egg development.

Amoeba is a unicellular protozoan. Mushrooms and Penicillium are multicellular fungi, and Spirogyra is a multicellular alga.

Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral infection that affects cloven-hoofed animals.

Fermentation, refrigeration, and adding salt are all methods used to inhibit the growth of spoilage-causing micro-organisms, thereby preserving food.

Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 when he observed that a mould called Penicillium notatum inhibited the growth of bacteria.

Citrus canker is a bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas citri, which affects citrus fruits and leaves, causing lesions.

Certain beneficial bacteria in the human large intestine synthesize vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting.

Vaccines contain antigens, which are weakened or dead forms of a pathogen. These stimulate the body’s immune system to produce antibodies without causing the disease.

Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which is typically transmitted through drinking water or food contaminated with fecal matter.

Yeast is a eukaryotic micro-organism classified under the kingdom Fungi. It is unicellular, unlike most other fungi.

Microbiology is the branch of science dedicated to the study of micro-organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

Sugar acts as a preservative by drawing out water from micro-organisms, inhibiting their growth. Milk is not preserved with sugar; it is preserved by pasteurization or refrigeration.

Yeast is used in the large-scale production of alcoholic beverages like beer and wine through the process of fermentation.

A communicable (or infectious) disease is one that can spread from person to person. The common cold is highly contagious, while diabetes, asthma, and heart disease are non-communicable.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis primarily infects the lungs, causing tuberculosis (TB), though it can potentially affect other parts of the body.

Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and preventing the accumulation of waste.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which attacks the body’s immune system, specifically CD4 cells (T cells).

ORS is a mixture of clean water, salt, and sugar used to prevent or treat dehydration, especially from diarrhea.

Algae contain chlorophyll and other photosynthetic pigments, allowing them to perform photosynthesis to produce their own food, similar to plants.

Rust of wheat is a fungal disease caused by various species of Puccinia, which form reddish-brown spores on the stems and leaves.

Food poisoning is typically caused by consuming food contaminated with pathogenic bacteria or their toxins, such as Salmonella or E. coli.

Bread mould, such as Rhizopus, is a common fungus. Euglena, Paramecium, and Chlamydomonas are protists, not fungi.

A vector is an organism, like a mosquito or tick, that transmits a pathogen from one host to another without necessarily causing disease itself.

Polio drops contain a weakened (attenuated) form of the polio virus. This acts as a vaccine, stimulating the body’s immune system to build protection against polio.

Sugar, salt, and oil are common chemical preservatives. They create an environment with low water activity (hypertonic) that prevents the growth of spoilage-causing microbes.

Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. Influenza, AIDS, and measles are all caused by viruses.

Thermophiles are organisms, often archaea or bacteria, that thrive at extremely high temperatures, such as those found in hot springs.

Diabetes is a non-communicable metabolic disorder. Chickenpox, tuberculosis, and malaria are all infectious diseases that can be transmitted between individuals.

Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria (such as Lactobacillus) that provide health benefits, particularly by aiding in digestion and maintaining gut health.

Jams and pickles have high sugar or salt content, which creates a hypertonic environment. This causes water to be drawn out from any micro-organisms, preventing their growth.

Immunization is the process by which a person’s immune system becomes fortified against a pathogen, typically through the administration of a vaccine.