Tiny Water Heroes
`Without this type of plankton, we wouldn't be able to breathe
phytoplankton or zooplankton
phytoplankton
Many microbes live on this slipper green coating that grows on rocks and streams
algae
This tiny living thing is made of just one cell and can only be seen with a microscope. Microbe or not a microbe?
microbe
This microbe is so tough it can survive extreme environments
Extremophile
This amazing microbe is virtually indestructible
water bear or tardigrade
both!
This home is on the bottom of a body of water, where you can find lots of microbes in between the small spaces
sediment or detritus
sediment
This creature is small but still has many cells, legs, and a brain — like an ant. Microbe or not a microbe?
not a microbe
Miss Jen's words for where we find all the BEST microbes?
GLORIOUS GUNK!
This micro-critter has a glass-like shell
zooplankton or diatom
diatom
This might be a place to find an extremophile that can survive extremely acidic environments
hydrothermal vents or soda lakes
hydrothermal vents
This germ can make you sick and is so tiny it can only reproduce inside another living thing. Microbe or not a microbe?
not a microbe-- virus
This microbe sounds like it could be a dinosaur
Dinoflagellate or Rexavoid
Dinoflagellate
This microscopic animal looks like it is wearing a suit of armor as it spins like a top
amoeba or rotifer
rotifer
This microbe can survive without oxygen and usually lives in muddy bottoms
Aerobic or Anaerobic
Anaerobic
This green plant floats on ponds and you can see it with your eyes — it forms slimy mats. Microbe or not a microbe? Answer: What is not a microbe?
not a microbe- algae is multicellular
This wiggly word is the name for the hair‑like parts some microbes use to swim — it sounds like “silly‑uh.”
cilia
Ancient microbes that formed rock, layered mounds. Some of Earth's oldest living communities.
limestone formations or stromatolites
stromatolites
Where do microbes exist?
EVERYWHERE
This fuzzy mold grows on old bread and is made of tiny spores. Microbe or not a microbe?
microbe
literally means "tiny drifters"
parmecium or plankton
plankton