Evaron High School, Surulere/Biology notes/Year 10/Mr. Victor A. Olofu (BSc. MSc.

WEEK 4: MICRO-ORGANISMS IN ACTION

GROWTH OF MICRO-ORGANISMS

Bacteria reproduce by binary fission in which a single cell divides into two. This

process is called asexual reproduction. The time interval required for the cell to

divide into two is called generation time. This time varies from one organism to

another. It strongly depends upon nutrient availability, temperature, gaseous

requirement and pH. There are different phases in the growth of bacteria. These

include the (i) lag phase (ii) logarithmic or exponential phase (iii) the stationary

phase and (iv) decline or death. The growth of micro-organisms can be measured

by using any of these methods:

a) Turbidity method.

b) Serial dilution method.

c) Squared transparent paper or cellophane method.

Assignment

Use a diagram only to illustrate a typical bacterial growth curve.

BENEFICIAL AND HARMFUL EFFECTS OF MICRO-ORGANISMS

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS

1. Bacteria help to digest cellulose in herbivores.

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 Evaron High School, Surulere/Biology notes/Year 10/Mr. Victor A. Olofu (BSc. MSc.)

2. In man, they synthesize vitamin K and B12

3. Bacteria and fungi are widely used in the synthesis of antibiotics

4. They are used to manufacture amino acids and vinegar

5. Bacteria are used to process milk into different tastes and flavours

6. They are used to decompose sewage into harmless inorganic compounds.

7. Microbial cultures are used to produce enzymes

8. Yeast is used as a leavening agent in baking industries.

9. Algae play important role in fertilizing the soil.

10.Bacteria are used to produce single-cells protein (SCP).

HARMFUL EFFECTS

1. Bacteria cause decay and spoilage of food items.

2. Materials like wood, paper, textiles, rubber and metals are destroyed by

microbes.

3. They cause diseases of different types.

DISEASES CAUSED BY MICRO-ORGANISMS

DISEASE CAUSATIVE SYMPTOMS TRANSMIS CONTROL

AGENT SION

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 Evaron High School, Surulere/Biology notes/Year 10/Mr. Victor A. Olofu (BSc. MSc.)

Chickenpo Varicella Fever, tiredness, and an Contact Isolate patient

x Virus itchy, blistery rash. and use

appropriate

drugs.

Cholera Vibrio Watery diarrhea, flies, food , Personal

Cholerae vomiting, leg cramps. faeces, hygiene.

carriers

Common Rhino Virus Cough, runny nose, Contact Take

Cold shivering, etc. appropriate

medications and

avoid contact.

Dengue Dengue Virus Aedes Drain the water

Severe headache, severe
(arbovirus) Mosquito and clear the
eye pain (behind eyes),
bushes around.
joint pain, muscle and/or

bone pain, rash, mild

bleeding (e.g., nose or

gum bleed, petechiae, or

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 Evaron High School, Surulere/Biology notes/Year 10/Mr. Victor A. Olofu (BSc. MSc.)

easy bruising),low white

cell count.

Diarrhoea Giardia Frequent passing of contaminated Personal

intestinalis watery faeces, cramps and stools hygiene

pains in the abdomen

(stomach), nausea and

vomiting.

Diphtheria Corynebacteri A sore throat, hoarseness, Contact Use antibiotics

um diptheriae painful swallowing, and avoid

(Bacteria) swollen glands (enlarged contacts.

lymph nodes) in your

neck, thick, difficulty

breathing or rapid

breathing, nasal

discharge, fever and

chills, & malaise.

Leprosy Mycobacteriu Disfiguring skin sores, Long and Use antibiotics

m leprae lumps, or bumps (that do close contact and avoid

not go away after several contacts.

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 Evaron High School, Surulere/Biology notes/Year 10/Mr. Victor A. Olofu (BSc. MSc.)

weeks or months), loss of Patients should

feeling in the arms and be isolated.

legs, muscle weakness.

Measles Measles virus A high temperature, sore Contact Take

eyes (conjunctivitis), appropriate

(Paramyxo
runny nose, small white medication and
Virus)
spots, harsh dry cough, avoid contact.

going off food, tiredness,

aches, pains, diarrhoea

and/or vomiting.

Pneumonia Diplococcus High fever, shaking chills, bacteria Use of

pneumonia cough with phlegm (a transmission antibiotics and

slimy substance) which by avoidance of

doesn't improve or contact. contact.

worsens, shortness of

breath, chest pain when

you breathe or cough,

suddenly feeling worse

after a cold, etc.

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 Evaron High School, Surulere/Biology notes/Year 10/Mr. Victor A. Olofu (BSc. MSc.)

Poliomyelit Polio Virus or Fever, sore throat, houseflies, Good hygiene

is Enterovirus headache, vomiting, food and and appropriate

fatigue, back pain or water medication.

stiffness, neck pain or

stiffness, pain or stiffness

in the arms or legs, muscle

weakness or tenderness, &

meningitis.

Rabies Rhabdovirus Fever, cough, sore throat, mad dog bites Treat dogs and

etc. seek urgent

medical

attention in

cases of bites.

Septic Sore Streptococcus Fever, nasal drainage, Contact Use of

Bacteria sore throat, swollen antibiotics and

Throat
glands, difficulty avoidance of

swallowing, and contact.

irritability.

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 Evaron High School, Surulere/Biology notes/Year 10/Mr. Victor A. Olofu (BSc. MSc.)

Sleeping Tryponosoma Anxiety, drowsiness reaches Clear

Sickness
Brucei during the day, fever, lymph nodes vegetations

headache, via around, use

transmission insecticides and

insomnia at night, mood
thru fly bites take appropriate
changes, sleepiness,
medication.
sweating, swollen lymph

nodes all over the body,

swollen, red, painful

nodule at site of fly bite.

Smallpox Variola Virus High fever, vomiting, Contact Take

fatigue, backache, a raised appropriate

spotted rash, etc. medication and

avoid contact.

Tuberculos Mycobacteriu Malaise, weight loss, and Bacteria Isolate patients

is m tuberculosis night sweats. transmission and use

by appropriate

antibiotics.
cough

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 Evaron High School, Surulere/Biology notes/Year 10/Mr. Victor A. Olofu (BSc. MSc.)

Tetanus Clostridium Muscle spasms and bacteria in Treat wounds

tetani breathing problems. soil through urgently.

wounds

Typhoid Salmonella Abdominal tenderness, Flies, food Treat water

Typhi etc. before drinking.

agitation, bloody stools,
Maintain
chills,confusion,
personal
difficulty paying
hygiene. Use
attention, fluctuating
appropriate
mood,nosebleeds,severe
antibiotics.
fatigue,weakness, etc.

Whooping Hameophilius Cough, whooping sound coughing and Isolate patients

cough Pertussis during breathing, etc. sneezing and use

appropriate

antibiotics.

Influenza Orthomixoviru fever and muscle aches, Contact Take

Flu s cold, runny nose, sore appropriate

throat, etc. medication and

avoid contact.

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 Evaron High School, Surulere/Biology notes/Year 10/Mr. Victor A. Olofu (BSc. MSc.)

Malaria Plasmodium chills, headache,muscle Bite from Use of drugs,

aches, tiredness, nausea, female insecticides, etc.

vomiting and diarrhea. Anophelex

mosquitoes

Weekend Task

Study your notes and your textbooks.