Microorganisms Basics
What are microorganisms?
Tiny living things that can only be seen with a microscope.
Name a microorganism that helps in digestion.
Lactobacillus (a type of bacteria found in yogurt and the gut)
What do microorganisms need to grow?
Warmth, moisture, food (nutrients), and sometimes oxygen.
How do scientists use microbes in medicine?
They use bacteria and fungi to make antibiotics like penicillin.
A scientist can observe microbial structure, movement, or reactions to substances to confirm theories.
Structure, movement or reaction to substances to confirm theories.
Name three types of microorganisms.
Bacteria, viruses, fungi
How do microorganisms help make food like cheese and yogurt?
Bacteria and fungi break down sugars and produce acids that help create texture and flavor in cheese and yogurt.
What is agar, and how is it used in microbiology labs?
Agar is a gel-like substance that provides nutrients for bacteria to grow in Petri dishes.
What role do microbes play in composting?
Microorganisms break down organic material into nutrient-rich soil.
How do scientists use graphs and charts to analyze microbial growth?
They compare the growth of different microbes under varying conditions to find patterns.
All microorganisms are harmful.
False
What is a harmful effect of bacteria on human health?
Bacteria can cause infections like strep throat or food poisoning.
Describe how scientists test microbial growth.
They grow microorganisms in a Petri dish and observe colony size, shape, and color.
Name a disease caused by a virus and one caused by bacteria.
Virus – Flu, COVID-19, measles. Bacteria – Strep throat, tuberculosis.
Describe an experiment to test the effectiveness of soap against bacteria.
Swab hands before and after washing, grow the bacteria in a Petri dish, and compare results.
What tool do scientists use to observe microorganisms?
microscope
Give an example of how microorganisms help ecosystems.
Decomposers like fungi and bacteria break down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients to the soil.
How can you tell if a Petri dish has bacterial growth?
You will see visible colonies of bacteria forming on the surface.
How do probiotics benefit human health?
Probiotics are "good bacteria" that help maintain a healthy digestive system.
How do scientists use case studies to learn about diseases?
They analyze patient histories and outbreak patterns to determine causes and treatments.
What are antibiotics, and how do they work against bacteria?
Antibiotics are medicines that kill or stop the growth of bacteria by attacking their cell walls or preventing them from multiplying.
Explain why washing hands reduces microbial growth
Soap removes dirt and oils where microbes stick, and scrubbing physically removes bacteria and viruses from the skin.
Why do some microbes live in extreme environments like hot springs?
These are called extremophiles, and they have adapted to survive in harsh conditions like extreme heat, acidity, or saltiness.
Explain how a scientist might use a microscope to support a hypothesis about microorganism
A scientist can observe microbial structure, movement, or reactions to substances to confirm theories.