Types of Microorganisms
Single-celled eukaryotes commonly found in aquatic environments
What are protozoa
Microorganisms that thrive in very high temperatures
What are thermophiles
Thread-like filaments that make up the body of a fungus
What are hyphae
Spherical-shaped bacteria
What are cocci
A highly resistant structure formed by some bacteria to survive harsh conditions
What is an endospore
These photosynthetic organisms can be unicellular or multicellular and are important producers
What is algae
Microorganisms that live in extremely salty environments
What are halophiles
The mass of hyphae that forms the main body of a fungus
What is mycelium
Rod-shaped bacteria
What are bacilli
Endospores help bacteria survive conditions such as heat, lack of nutrients, and this environment stress
What is dehydration (or extreme conditions)
This group of microorganisms includes many decomposers and parasites and is classified as eukaryotic
What are fungi
These microorganisms produce methane gas as a by-product of their metabolism
What are methanogens
The process by which fungi break down food outside their bodies and absorb nutrients
What is external digestion and absorption
Spiral-shaped bacteria
What are spirilli
These two bacterial groups are classified separately due to genetic and biochemical differences
What are Archaebacteria and Eubacteria
What are bacteria
Extremophiles are most commonly found in this domain
What is Archaea (Archaebacteria)
Fungi are classified as this type of organism based on how they obtain nutrients
What are heterotrophs
This bacterial arrangement forms grape-like clusters
What is staph
Which group- Archaebacteria or Eubacteria- is more commonly found in everyday environments
What is Eubacteria
Name one major ecological role microorganisms play that supports biodiversity
What is nutrient recycling, decomposition, oxygen production, or nitrogen fixation
Explain why extremophiles increase Earth's overall biodiversity
What is: they allow life to exist in extreme environments, increasing the range of habitats that support living organisms
Explain why fungi are essential to ecosystems and biodiversity
What is: Fungi act as decomposers, recycling nutrients back into ecosystems and supporting food webs
This bacterial arrangement forms chains of cells
What is strep
Explain one reason why Archaebacteria are important to biodiversity
What is: They occupy extreme environments and carry out unique metabolic processes that support diverse ecosystems