What is a microorganism?It is a living thing too small to see without a microscope.

Lets look at examples of microorganisms.

Bacteria

Bacteria are single-celled organisms (made of one cell).They are found everywhere.

They come in three shapes.Round (coccus)Rod (bacillus)Spiral (spirillum)

Some make their own food.Example cyanobacteria.(producer makes own food)

Other bacteria are consumers.(Has to find food and eat it.)

Beneficial uses of bacteria.Provides nitrogen for plants.Fixes the soil (changes the nitrogen to a form the plant can use).Get minerals from ores.Used to make plastics and laundry detergents.Help make antibiotics.

Beneficial uses of bacteria (food).YogurtSauerkrautPicklesOlivesChocolateCheeseSoy Sauce

Harmful effects of bacteria.Cause Diseases (

How to prevent diseases.Vaccinations.Antibiotics.Wash hands after using bathroom or whenever dirty.Cook food properly.Store food properly.Cover mouth when sneezing, coughing.

When you see a pond, you see a lot of life!Photo source: Hobos Pond B&B

Theres also life you cant see!Photo source: Hobos Pond B&B

Its too small for you to see.To see it, you will need a microscope.

This is the world of the microorganism.Photo source: University of Winnipeg, Dr. Simmons protist webpage

Lets examine three different examples of protozoans.

Lets examine three different examples of protozoans.

The Amoeba

The amoeba is among the most primitive of all organisms.

The amoeba has an irregular shape.(In other words, its shape always changes.)

It moves using a psuedopod (false feet).Its clear (you can see through it).The amoeba is a consumer.

The AmoebaStaples High School, West Port, CT, Mr. Lazaroffs webpage

The Paramecium

The paramecium is an oval shaped protozoan.It moves using tiny hair-like appendages called cilia.

It is a pale, translucent color.It is a consumer.

Biology Teaching & Learning Resources - Biological Drawings: Protista. ParameciumThe Paramecium

The Euglena

The Euglena is an oval-shaped protozoan.It moves using a tail-like structure called a flagellum.

The Euglena is green.It is primarily a producer, but can be a consumer.

The Euglena

Algae

Algae can be microscopic to 150 feet long.Source: Scribemedia.orgc

Algae are producers.Source: http://bennettkids.homestead.com/mrsbennetthome.html

Algae are an important food source for sea life.Source: eFuse.com

Algae provide over 50% of the oxygen we breathe.

Benefits of AlgaeUsed in livestock feed.cosmetics.prescription drug production.identifying possible environmental problems.

Benefits of AlgaeFood ProductionSushi.Ice cream.Salad dressing.Syrup.(thickener)

Heres a quick review of what weve learned.

Fungi

Consumer.Eat by absorbing food.Get food from soil, wood, decaying organic (once living) matter, and living plants/other organisms.Can be from single-celled to largest organism alive.Cant move.

Decomposers.Feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter.Examples.Mushrooms.Truffles.A mushroom like fungus that grown underground; primarily found in Europe; a highly valued food.LichenFungus often found as white or yellow patches on old walls, etc.

Benefits of FungiUsed to make chemicals used in manufacturing.Produce antibiotics (example penicillin).Clean the environment.Food production.CheeseMushroomsYeastTrufflesSoy sauce

Harmful Effects of FungiCauses 70% of all crop diseases.Diseases in humans.Respiratory (lung) diseases (example pneumonia).Athletes foot.Ringworm (makes a raised round circle that looks like it was caused by a worm).

And this is a quick look at microorganisms.