what is a microorganism?
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What is a microorganism?. It is a living thing too small to see without a microscope. Let’s 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). - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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What is a microorganism?It is a living thing too small to see without a microscope.
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Lets look at examples of microorganisms.
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Bacteria
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Bacteria are single-celled organisms (made of one cell).They are found everywhere.
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They come in three shapes.Round (coccus)Rod (bacillus)Spiral (spirillum)
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Some make their own food.Example cyanobacteria.(producer makes own food)
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Other bacteria are consumers.(Has to find food and eat it.)
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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.
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Beneficial uses of bacteria (food).YogurtSauerkrautPicklesOlivesChocolateCheeseSoy Sauce
- Harmful effects of bacteria.Cause Diseases (
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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.
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When you see a pond, you see a lot of life!Photo source: Hobos Pond B&B
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Theres also life you cant see!Photo source: Hobos Pond B&B
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Its too small for you to see.To see it, you will need a microscope.
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This is the world of the microorganism.Photo source: University of Winnipeg, Dr. Simmons protist webpage
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Lets examine three different examples of protozoans.
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Lets examine three different examples of protozoans.
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The Amoeba
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The amoeba is among the most primitive of all organisms.
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The amoeba has an irregular shape.(In other words, its shape always changes.)
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It moves using a psuedopod (false feet).Its clear (you can see through it).The amoeba is a consumer.
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The AmoebaStaples High School, West Port, CT, Mr. Lazaroffs webpage
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The Paramecium
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The paramecium is an oval shaped protozoan.It moves using tiny hair-like appendages called cilia.
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It is a pale, translucent color.It is a consumer.
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Biology Teaching & Learning Resources - Biological Drawings: Protista. ParameciumThe Paramecium
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The Euglena
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The Euglena is an oval-shaped protozoan.It moves using a tail-like structure called a flagellum.
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The Euglena is green.It is primarily a producer, but can be a consumer.
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The Euglena
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Algae
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Algae can be microscopic to 150 feet long.Source: Scribemedia.orgc
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Algae are producers.Source: http://bennettkids.homestead.com/mrsbennetthome.html
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Algae are an important food source for sea life.Source: eFuse.com
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Algae provide over 50% of the oxygen we breathe.
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Benefits of AlgaeUsed in livestock feed.cosmetics.prescription drug production.identifying possible environmental problems.
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Benefits of AlgaeFood ProductionSushi.Ice cream.Salad dressing.Syrup.(thickener)
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Heres a quick review of what weve learned.
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Fungi
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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.
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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.
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Benefits of FungiUsed to make chemicals used in manufacturing.Produce antibiotics (example penicillin).Clean the environment.Food production.CheeseMushroomsYeastTrufflesSoy sauce
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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).
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And this is a quick look at microorganisms.