THE BIG WORLD OF
TOPIC AT GLANCE…
What are microorganisms???
Where are microorganisms found???
What are various groups of microorganisms???
How are microorganisms both beneficial and harmful to
us???
How does food go bad???
What are the common methods of preserving food???
What is the role of various microorganisms in nitrogen
cycle in nature???
WHAT ARE MICROORGANISMS???
“Microorganisms” is derived from Greek words
micros (small) and organismos (organisms).
They are too small and can be seen with the help of
microscope.
Also called as microbes.
They can be unicellular (single-celled) as well as
multicellular (multi-celled).
The study of microorganisms is known as
microbiology.
WHERE ARE THEY PRESENT???
They are found everywhere– in water, in soil and in air.
Dessert soil lack them because of hot and dry climate but found near roots of plants and dead leaves.
They have heterotrophic mode of nutrition.
Parasitic microorganism causing diseases in host are known as pathogens.
TYPES OF MICROORGANISMS
Bacteria
Algae
Protozoa
Fungi
BACTERIA
Simplest unicellular organisms.
Exist singly or in chains or groups.
A thick outer wall (spore)help them to survive in unfavourable conditions.
Three types of bacteria:
Bacillus (rod-shaped)
Coccus (spherical-shaped)
Spirillus (spiral-shaped)
ALGAE
Plant-like organisms having cell walls.
Contains chlorophyll, therefore, can make food through photosynthesis.
Autotrophs but lack roots, stem and leaves.
They can be unicellular or multicellular.
Seaweeds are largest algae.
They are found in water bodies and moist places.
PROTOZOA
It means first animal.
They are unicellular organisms.
Exist in water and soil.
They have various locomotory organs like pseudopodia, cilia and flagella.
They digest their food in compartments called vacuoles.
FUNGI
They have saprophytic
mode of nutrition.
They obtain nutrients fro
dead and decaying
organic matter.
Examples:
Mushroom (Agaricus)
Moulds (Rhizopus)
Yeast (Unicellular Fungi)
VIRUS
Virus means poison in Latin.
They can be helpful as well as harmful.
They are the link between living and non-living.
They are alive only when it enters cells of a living
plant or animal energy of the host cell to remain
alive.
FRIENDLY MICROORGANISMS
Microorganisms play vital role in our lives.
Ways in which they are beneficial to us:
In decomposition and recycling
In increasing soil fertility
In food chains
In food-making processes
In water treatment plants
In production of energy-giving fuels
For making antibiotics
For making vaccines
In science and technological fields
HARMFUL MICROORGANISMS
Microorganisms more than the harm the y cause to us than for their uses.
Microorganisms causing diseases are called pathogens.
They make their way into our body through the following ways:Through air
Through food and water
Through direct contact
Through carriers
Through cuts and wounds on skins
FOOD PRESERVATION
The process of treatment food to slow down or to
stop the growth of microorganisms that spoil food is
known as food preservation.
Food spoilage by microorganisms is a disagreeable
change in food.
Common methods of food preservation:
Using natural preservatives (salt)
Using food grade chemical preservation (heating)
By refrigeration and freezing (pasteurization)
By drying and dehydration (canning)
NITROGEN CYCLE
Nitrogen cycle is a cycle in which atmospheric
nitrogen is converted from its gaseous form into
usable form and returned to the atmosphere
through stages that involves microorganisms.
STAGES OF NITROGEN CYCLE
Nitrogen fixation
Nitrogen assimilation
Ammonification
Nitrification
Denitrification
OVERVIEW
THANK YOU
Made by:
Rahul Chawla
VIII B