Microorganisms
What is a microorganism?
a microscopic organism, especially a bacterium, virus, or fungus.
-Dxford Dictionary
What types of environments host the most complex microbial interactions?
Environments like the human gut, dental plaque, and deep-sea sediments are known for their complex microbial interactions. These highly diverse ecosystems host a wide variety of microorganisms, leading to intricate relationships and co-evolutionary dynamics.
-National Institute of Health
True or False:
All bactiria are bad.
False
-National Academics
What are the factors that influence the distribution and abundance of microorganisms in the environment?
Temperature, oxygen, pH, water activity, pressure, radiation, and lack of nutrients.
-Biology LibreText
What is the structure of a bacterial cell?
A bacterial cell, like all cells, contains a basic structure consisting of a cell wall, a cell membrane, and cytoplasm.
-Molecular Expressions
Are microorganisms living things?
Yes
-Learn Genetics Utah
What is the human microbiome?
The Human Microbiome is the collection of all the microorganisms living in association with the human body.
-NIH Human Microbime Project
How do microorganisms contribute to nutrient cycling?
Microorganisms are responsible for the degradation of organic matter, which controls the release of plant nutrients.
What is the function of the cell wall in bacteria?
The bacterial cell wall is a complex, mesh-like structure that in most bacteria is essential for maintenance of cell shape and structural integrity.
-National Institute of Health
Microbiology is the study of what?
The study of microbes.
-Microbiology Society
How does the microbiome affect human health?
The microbiome plays a very important role in your health by helping control digestion and benefiting your immune system and many other aspects of health.
-Healthline
True or False:Mushrooms are microorganisms.
False
Though mushrooms are fungi they are not microorganisms.
-National Institute of Health
How do microorganisms contribute to the decomposition of organic matter?
Bacteria easily degrade plant exudate while fungi breakdown more resistant compounds.
-SienceDirect
What is the difference between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria?
Gram-positive bacteria lack an outer membrane but are surrounded by layers of peptidoglycan many times thicker than is found in the Gram-negatives.
-National Institute of Health
Do all microbes look the same?
No, Microbes can be many different shapes including rods, spheres, and even corkscrews.
-American Museum of Natural History.
How do microorganisms interact with each other?
Microbial interactions occur by the transference of molecular and genetic information.
-National institute of Health
There are more microbes in the human body than there are human cells.
True
-National Institute of Health
How do microorganisms impact soil health?
Healthy and diverse soil bacteria populations produce antibiotics that protect the plants from disease causing organisms and plant pathogens.
-Ohio State University
What is a capsule in microbial cells?
The capsule is a protective structure surrounding some bacteria or fungi.
-UniProt
What are the three types of microorganisms?
Viruses, fungi, and protoza.
-Natonal library of Medicine
Can we harness microbial interactions and use them for good?
Yes, one such mechanism is to genetically modify plants to enhance plant-microbial signaling which can serve this purpose
-National Institute of Health
True or False:
You can see certain bactiria with the naked eye.
True:reaserchers found a bactiria with a cell size so large that you can see it with the naked eye!
-National Library of Medicine
How can we use microorganisms to improve agricultural practices?
They can be utilized as biofertilizers, biocontrol agents, and even as additives in animal nutrition.
-National Institute of Health
What are endospores?
An endospore is a dormant, tough, and non-reproductive structure produced by certain bacteria.
-LibreTexts