MICROORGANISM

(microorganism)
At the end of this lesson, you will
1. learn five types of microorganism (virus, bacteria, fungi, protozoa
and alga) and its examples.
2. learn that microorganism has the characteristics of living things.
3. learn the harmful effect of microorganism to human
4. learn that microorganism is also beneficial to human
5. Learn and practice healthy and clean lifestyle to prevent the spread
of microorganism
 Types of microorganism
- Definition of microorganism : It is very small (tiny) and fine living thing which
cannot be seen with our naked eyes.

-Microscope is used to see the microorganism.

1. Fungi (plural form of fungus)

- Examples : mushroom, mould (mukor / kulapok), yeast (yis), Penicillium
- Size : bigger than bacteria and virus, except yeast.
- Plant-like-organism, but lacks of chlorophyll
- It is parasite ( absorb food / nutrients) from other living things and causes diseases to
plants and human (athletes’ foot, ringworm and thrush – Candida)
- It is also a decomposer of the decayed living thing (mould) – lives in soil and helps in
carbon cycle (breaking down the decayed living thing and releases nutrients into the soil)
- Habitat : anywhere especially on land, in soil and on plant material.
- Suitable condition : warm and moist
Honey mushroom fungus

The largest organism in the world,

when measured by area, is the
Honey mushroom
fungus, Armillaria.

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

(Mould) Rhizopus nigricans growing on bread left
Budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Scars yellow
in a moist plastic bag for 7 days. Tangled mycelium
can be seen on the surface. It is used in the production
are visible as well as sporangia bearing spores.
of beer, wine and bread.
2. Bacteria
- single cell – microscopic : measured in micrometer (1 micrometer=1X10-4 cm)
- bacteria can be classified into 5 groups based on their shapes :
1. spherical (cocci)
2. rod (bacilli)
3. spiral (spirilla)
a. bacillus (rod) b. coccus (spherical)
4. comma (vibrios) c. spirillum (spiral) d. spirochaete (corkscrew),
e. vibrios (comma)
5. corkscrew (spirochaetes)
- Habitat : everywhere – in the soil, in the body of other living organism, in the teeth, in the volcano.
- Suitable condition : body temperature (37°C), water, food & neutral.
-It is also acts as a decomposer.
It is used in yogurt and cheese production.
- However, bacteria can cause tooth decay and diarrhoea.
Bacillus anthracis spores

This bacterium causes anthrax in farm animals and less

commonly in humans. Spores can survive for many years
and are resistant to extremes of heat, cold and drying.

EXAMPLES : Salmonella, Bacillus, E.Coli

3. VIRUS
- the smallest microbes – measured in nanometer (1 nanometer= 1X10-9cm) – need to use electron
microscope to see it (500 MILLION rhinoviruses (cause common flu) can fit in a head of pin)
- UNIQUE : They are only ALIVE when they are in the living organism (host).
- They do not reproduce, grow, or need any nutrients when they are outside of the living organism.

Herpes simplex virus infection.

A section through a cell being destroyed by herpes simplex
virus infection. At centre is a large cluster of viral capsids
(protein coats, red) which the cell has produced at the
direction of the virus's genetic material.
Tobacco mosaic virus which is helical
in shape.

T2 bacteriophage viruses (orange) attacking

an Escherichia coli bacterium. AIDS virus (red/green) budding from the surface of a
white blood cell.
Each phage consists of a large DNA- containing
head and a tail composed of a tube-like central
sheath with several fibres.
4. PROTOZOA
- simple, single-cell animal - examples : Amoeba, Flagellate,
- different shapes
- Habitat : in moist environment and in the soil
- Some are parasitic – lives in other living organisms which normally can cause diseases (Plasmodium
causes malaria)
- eat algae and bacteria
- They move by using :
(a) Cilia - tiny hair like structures that cover the outside of the microbe.
They beat in a regular continuous pattern like flexible oars.
(b) Flagella - long thread-like structures that extend from the cell surface.
The flagella move in a whip-like motion that produces waves that propel the
microbe around.
 Amoeba proteus protozoa

These are freshwater single-celled microbes

that feed on bacteria and smaller protozoa.
They use pseudopodia (cytoplasmic
extensions) to engulf their food and for
locomotion.

Foraminifera are single-celled protozoa

which construct and inhabit shells. The
shells are usually divided into chambers
Vorticella is bell- shaped with a contractile stalk
which are added during growth. These
(bottom) to anchor itself to the surface. It has a
shells are made of calcium carbonate but
flattened top with a mouth surrounded by a wreath
some are made from sand and even
of cilia (tiny hair-like projections). By beating
silica.
these cilia the organism causes the water to swirl
like water down a plug hole which draws bacteria
into its mouth.
Paramecium a protozoan

This single-celled organism lives in freshwater habitats. It

is covered in cilia, short hair-like structures used for
swimming and for wafting food into its groove-like mouth
(centre).
5. ALGAE
- can exist in many forms :
(a) single cell (Chlamydomonas) (b) in chains (Spirogyra) (c) many cells (Rhodymenia- red seaweed)

- they can make their own food through photosynthesis.

- live in fresh or sea water, soil, on the rock
- Examples : Phytoplankton, spirulina

Rhodymenia palmata is an edible red seaweed

(Dulse) alga. Dulse is very popular in Ireland,
where it is often mixed with potatoes and
butter, adding a salty, savoury bite to fried
potato champ.
 Filaments of the alga Spirogyra

Green algae can make their own food through a process of

photosynthesis. They are at the beginning of the food chain
and are known as primary producers.

Algal blooms lining the shores (light green).

These blooms occur as a result of a change in the

nutrient levels of the river. Contamination by
sewage or fertilisers can increase the water's
mineral content, which accelerates the growth of
all plants, particularly aquatic algae.

Chlamydomonas is a unicellular
green alga. It is motile and has two
tail-like flagella that it uses for
locomotion.
 PLANT - photosynthesis
Eg : sprirulina, phytoplankton

Algal bloom causes marine living things die.

Movement : cilia & flagella
ALGAE ONLY survive in the living HOST
Food : algae & bacteria
Diseases : Rubella, AIDS, chicken
Parasite pox, measles, flu

Single-cell Eg : bacteriophage, HIV,

VIRUS
Influenza virus
Eg: Amoeba, Flagelate, PROTOZOA
Paramecium MICROBES
Classified based on shapes :
Best condition to grow bacteria : rod (bacillus) coccus, spiral, vibrio
Warmth, moist and dark places Decomposer
Decomposer
FUNGI
Used in cheese and yogurt
BACTERIA
Parasite – cause diseases (athlete’s
DISEASES : diarrhea, tooth decay and
foot, ringworm, thrush)
sore throat
Eg: yeast, mushroom, mould, penicillium Best condition to grow bacteria :
Eg :
Body temperature, food, water and neutral
Plant-like BUT CANNOT photosynthesis Bacillus, E.Coli, Salmonella
medium
LIVING CHARACTERISTICS OF MICROORGANISM

RESPIRATION
MOVE GROWTH EXCRETION

MRS GREN
SENSITIVITY NUTRITION
REPRODUCTION
 FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE GROWTH
OF MICROORGANISM

ACIDITY
AIR
WATER

TEMPERATURE
NUTRIENTS
 USES OF MICROORGANISM

FOOD : yogurt, cheese,

bread, wine, tempe DECOMPOSITION to
make natural fertilizer and
ANTIBIOTIC & sewage treatment of the
VACCINE to prevent human wastes to destroy the
the growth of the toxin in the sewage.
pathogen.
THINKING TIME…..

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE DEAD LIVING

THINGS DO NOT DECAY ????
 BAD EFFECT OF MICROORGANISM
Change the texture, smell
and taste of the food

DISEASES :
1. Conjunctivitis (Virus)
2. Tuberculosis (Bacteria)
3. Fungal infection
FOOD POISONING
4. Malaria (virus)
5. Tooth decay (bacteria)
6. Ringworm (Fungi)
7. Athlete’s foot (Fungi)
 HOW DO WE CATCH A DISEASE?
DISEASES SYMPTOMS PATHOGENS WAYS OF SPREADING

Red, itchy bumps, mild fever, sore throat,

Chicken pox headache, rash or Air
red spots and blisters
Pink rash, cough, sore throat, irritated
Measles (Rebeola) Air
eyes, fever and runny nose
high fever, aching body, and
Influenza Air, contact
Headache, cough, sore throat VIRUS
Mumps Swollen glands Air, contact

Hepatitis A fever, jaundice, and diarrhoea, swollen liver Poor sanitation

Dengue fever Fever, muscle pains Aedes mosquito

AIDS Fever, loss appetite, pneumonia, death HIV virus Sexual activities
CHICKEN POX MUMPS

MEASLES
 WAYS OF
DISEASES SYMPTOMS PATHOGENS
SPREADING

Contaminated
water & food,
Vibrio cholarae
Cholera Diarrhea, vomit, muscle cramp unhygiene
(bacteria)
practices,
housefly

Strep throat Sore throat Cocci bacteria

Tuberculosis Bacillus
Dry cough, weak & tired
(TB) bacteria

Gonorrhea Inflamation of urethra, uterus & cervix Cocci bacteria Sexual activities

Ulcer & red spot around vagina /

Syphilis penis, rashes around the body, brain Spiral bacteria Sexual activities
damaged

AIDS, Gonorrhea & Syphilis are SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE

(STD) where these diseases spread through sexual contact.
 DISEASES SYMPTOMS PATHOGENS WAYS OF SPREADING

Thrush Mouth infection, difficulty in swallowing Candida fungus

Athlete’s foot
Bright white spots on the skin Fungi sweat
(Tinea)
Ringworm Red spot, sometimes bleeding, itchy Fungi

Athlete’s foot
 WATER
CONTAMINATION

MEANS OF
INFECTION
SPREADS ?
PERSONAL
TOUCH ANIMALS
(sexual activity, (Mosquitoes,
infected person’s housefly, rats)
thing)

SOIL
PREVENTION OF CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
1. Maintain cleanliness of the body :
- Wash your hands by using antiseptic hand-wash before you eat
- Take bath by using antiseptic soap/shower gel every day
- Don’t use other people’s personal belongings ( towel, tooth brush) especially those
are infected with illness.
2. Make sure the surrounding is clean:
- Buy fresh food from the clean stall – no flies, dustbin is covered
- Boil water before you drink
- Make sure the food is cover.
3. Quarantine if you are infected with the contagious diseases.
4. Wear mask to cover your nose and mouth when you have flu, cough
and cold.
5. Avoid people that has contagious disease.
6. Vaccination
 FACTORS AFFECT THE GROWTH OF MICROORGANISM
7 slices of guava with same sizes are prepared :

A. Guava in a plastic B. Guava in a vacuum C. Dried guava in a D. Guava in a plastic that

that contain 30ml plastic. plastic. contain 30ml vinegar.
sugar solution

E. Guava in a plastic F. Guava is left on a

and put in a freezer table.

Which conditions that promote microorganism growth?

 NUTRIENT

Dried food

MICROORGANISM
WATER GROWTH TEMPERATURE

AIR
ACIDITY
Vacuum packaged food Pickle food
 QUIZ
A B
SPIROGYRA

KELP