Microorganisms have an essential role in life processes and cycles on

Earth.

What are microorganisms?

Microorganisms Unicellular Prokaryotic “Microbes” Typically need a microscope to view Make up the largest number or organisms on

this planet

Here’s the interesting part…

Microbes vary depending on their kindBacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, Archaea,

Viruses* Autotrophic vs. Heterotrophic Sexual vs. Asexual Reproduction

(Binary fission/Conjugation)

Where do they live?

They exist in a variety of habitatsDeep in oceanHot springsDeep inside rock’s within the Earth

Viruses live in hosts

Why do we need microorganisms?

Microorganisms are essential for nutrient recycling (the food web) Why?

The nitrogen cycle requires microorganisms to ‘fix nitrogen’

Others? Brewing, Baking, Fermentation (YEAST) Biotechnology, Genetics, Biochemistry,

Molecular biology Warfare

Do microorganisms hurt humans?

Microorganisms are the cause of many infectious diseases.

The organisms involved include… Bacteria (plague, tuberculosis and anthrax) Protozoa (malaria, sleeping sickness and

toxoplasmosis) Fungi (ringworm, candidiasis or

histoplasmosis) Viruses (influenza, yellow fever or AIDS)*

Compare & Contrast

Viruses Particles of nucleic acid,

protein and possibly lipids “Grey area” of living vs.

nonliving Depends on host cells to

function Infect host cells to

reproduce, then kills that cell and goes to infect others

Can be dormant in host for long periods of time

Bacteria Reproduce by dividing Necessary for life in

many ways Food/digestion Some cause infections Some produce

antibiotics

Different Shapes of Bacteria

Bacilli Cocci Spirilla

Bacteria have flagella, glide, or do not move

How do bacteria get energy?

Autotrophs Photosynthetic autotrophs - cyanobacteria Chemosynthetic autotrophs - hydrothermal

vents, energy Heterotrophs Photoheterotrophs

sun = energy organic compounds = nutrition

Benefits of Viruses

Viruses can transfer genetic material between different species of host so they can be used in genetic engineering.

Viruses also carry out natural "genetic engineering": a virus may incorporate some genetic material from its host as it is replicating, and transfer this genetic information to a new host, even to a host unrelated to the previous host. May lead to evolutionary change

Benefits of Sanitation

Hygiene helps avoid infection or food spoiling by eliminating microorganisms from the surroundings.

Sterilization has led to the elimination of transferring disease by certain ways Example: Hypodermic needles

Cooking techniques

What else helps?

Clean water supplies Medicine (Antibiotics) Vaccines Others?

Discussion

How do science and technology affect the quality of our lives

related to bacteria and viruses?