CHAPTER 9 MICROORGANISMS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON

LIVING THINGS
1. CLASSIFICATION OF MICROORGANISMS

Microorganisms Characteristics Size

a. Viruses smallest size 20nm-400nm
b. Bacteria unicellular, four basic shapes(rod like, comma- 0.1- 10m
shaped, spiral-shaped, spherical), binary fission,
nutrition (photosynthetic, saprophytic, parasitic)
c. Fungi unicellular or multicellular, asexually and sexual, 10- 100m
nutrition (saprophytic,parasitic)
d. Protozoa unicellular, 2-1000m
e. Algae unicellular or multicellular, contain chlorophyll 10- 10000m
and cellulose cell walls, carry out
photosynthesis, sexual and asexual

2. FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE GROWTH OF MICROORGANISM

a. Nutrients
b. Light
c. Water
d. Temperatures
e. pH

3. USEFUL MICROORGANISMS
a. Food digestion
b. Decaying process
c. Medicine
d. Agriculture
e. Industry

4. HARMFUL MICROORGANISM
a. Microorganisms that cause disease are called pathogens.
b. Examples of diseases caused by pathogens:
Tooth decay
SARS and etc.
c. Pathogens reproduce rapidly, can slow down the normal growth and metabolic activities
of body cells and tissues.
d. Pathogens produce toxins that can kill cells.

Microorganisms and diseases

Pathogens Disease Symptoms Transmission

Viruses Common cold Sore throat,runny nose, Air
watery eyes
Dengue fever Fever,headache, Vector(Aedes)
runny nose
hepatitis Fever,headache,nausea Contaminated
muscle ache food,water
Aids Diarrhoea,loss of appetite, Physical contact
weight loss
Fungal Tinea White spots, change the Physical contact
skin colour
Ringworm Scaly,round,itchy patches Physical contact
Protozoa Malaria Fever,headache,nausea Vector(anopheles

Dysentery Diarrhoea Contaminated food

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 and water

Bacteria Cholera Diarrhoea,thirsty,dry lips Contaminated food

and water
Gonorrhoea Severe cramps,fever, Physical contact
vomiting
Syphilis Sore on the mouth,rash, Physical contact
fever
Tuberculosis Racking cough,sputum Air
contains blood,fever,weight loss

Methods of transmission of human diseases

Physical contact- Examples:Gonorrhoea, syphilis, ringworm, athletes foot, hepatitis
B, AIDS.
Air- Common cold, tuberculosis
Contaminated water- cholera, hepatitis A
Contaminated food- cholera, hepatitis A
Vector- animals that carry pathogens from person to person.Examples of vectors are
mosquitoes and houseflies. (Cholera, malaria, dengue fever)

5. WAYS TO PREVENT INFECTION CAUSED BY MICROORGANISMS:

a. Control of vectors
i. Mosquito
- related to its life cycle and habits.
- draining swamps, covering the surfaces of ponds with oil, use Abate, rear larvae-
eating fish.
ii. Housefly
- keeping our surroundings clean
- disposing garbage in plastic bags
- close rubbish bins
- hygienic disposal of faeces
- keeping food covered
- spraying insecticide
b. Various methods of sterilization
i. Autoclave- high temperature(121C) and pressure.
ii. Boiling- 100C(cannot kill a spores)
iii. Heat- expose to strong heat
iv. Disinfectant- chemical that kill microorganisms. Used to clean surgical
apparatus, sickroom, drains, kitchen utensils.Examples: bleaching powder,
formaline
v. Antiseptic- Chemical used to kill microorganisms on skin or wound.Examples:
alcohol, acriflavin, iodine
vi. Chemical- chemical can kill microorganisms.
vii. Radiation- exposure to ionizing radiations such as gamma rays and ultraviolet
light
viii. Ultraviolet light- used to kill microorganisms in the air in hospitals and operating
theatre.
ix. Gamma ray- Used to sterilize injection needles, syringes and dressing.
c. Immunity
- The immune system is the bodys main defence against pathogens.
- It recognizes, attacks, destroys and remembers each type of pathogen that enters
the body.
- There are two types of immunity: Active immunity (body produces antibodies) and
Passive immunity(body received antibodies)
i. Natural Active Immunity
- Develops naturally after a person is infected with a pathogen.
- Very effective and may last for life.
- Examples: recovery from diseases such as chicken pox and mumps.
ii. Artificial active immunity

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 - acquired through immunization.
- Involves the use of vaccine that contains weakened pathogen.
- Examples: injection of vaccine.
iii. Natural passive immunity.
- acquired by the transfer of maternal antibodies to her offspring via the placenta or
breast milk.
- Examples: Breast-feeding. An infant receives from the mother because antibodies
are present in the mothers milk.
iv. Artificial passive immunity
- Induced by injection of serum taken from an individual already immuned to a
particular antigen.
- Examples: Antiserum is injected to give immediate protection or to give rapid help in
treating a disease.

Importance of Immunity
Helps to prevent the spread of diseases.
Vaccination is used to fight infection and prevent epidemic outbreaks of disease
or deaths.

6. HOW DISEASES CAUSED BY MICROORGANISMS ARE TREATED

a. Modern cures
- Use of synthetic medicines, antiserum, antibiotics and surgery.
- Antibiotics:
chemical compound obtained from microorganisms or synthesized.
Use to destroy or inhibit the growth of microorganisms.
Can be taken orally in pill or liquid or injected.
Common antibiotics include penicillin, aureomysin, streptomysin and
tetracyclines.
- Viral diseases cannot be cured by using antibiotics.
- Malaria can be cured by using drugs such as quinine, paludrine and chloroquinine.
b. Traditional cures
- Made from leaves, stems, roots, barks and flowers of plants or body parts of animals.
- Examples: Tongkat Ali root.

Danger of using drugs without medical advise and through unauthorized prescription.
Can produce side effects.
Can cause allergies
Can lead to the development of resistant strains of microorganisms.

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 PAPER 1

1. The diagram shows a type of bacteria

What is the name of the bacteria?

A Spirillum C Coccus
B Bacillus D Vibrio

2. Which of the following statement is true about virus?

A Virus are saprophyte

B Virus can be crystallized
C Virus contains cytoplasm
D Virus can reproduce outside a living cell

3. The Diagram shows a type of microorganism.

Which of the following is a characteristic of this microorganism?

A It is a parasite
B It has cellulose cell wall
C It does not have chlorophyll
D It reproduces by binary fission

4. The Diagram shows an information about the type of microorganisms .

P : Yeast
Q : Euglena
R : Salmonella
Nutrie
S : Amoeba nt
Which of the above microorganisms are classified as protozoa?

A Q and R
B P and S
C Q and S
D P and R

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5. Which of the following shows the microorganisms in descending order of size from the
largest to the smallest?

A Bacteria, fungi, viruses

B Fungi, bacteria, viruses
C Viruses, fungi, bacteria
D Viruses, bacteria, fungi

6. Which of the following microorganisms can build their own food?

A Mucor
B Spirogyra
C Paramecium
D Plasmodium

7. Which of the following is a bacillus bacteria?

A B C D

8. Which of the following is a pathogen ?

A Yeast
B Spirogyra
C Plasmodium
D Bacteriophage

9. Which of the following pairs is correct about the microorganisms and disease related?

Pathogen Diseases
A Virus Common cold
B Fungi Syphilis
C Bacteria Hepatitis
D Protozoa Tuberculosis

10. The diagram shows a type of microorganisms.

Which of the following is related to the microorganisms?

A All are parasites

B Contain chlorophyll
C Reproduce inside living host cells

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 D Obtain food from dead organics materials

11. The diagram shows a type of microorganisms.

c c
ccc c ccc
c
ccc ccc

Name the microorganisms.

A Plasmodium
B Bacteriophage
C Vibrio cholerae
D Tubercle bacillus

12. Which of the following is the symptom of Hepatitis A and B?

A Fever
B Runny nose
C Watery eyes
D Weight loss

13. Which of the following is sex transmitted disease?

A Malaria
B Dysentery
C Gonorrhea
D Tuberculosis

14. Why do we always wash our hands after handling microorganisms?

A The microorganisms are dead

B We want to kill the microorganisms
C The microorganisms can turn harmful
D We want to get rid of the microorganisms from our hand

15. What is the use of microorganisms in food digestion?

A As vaccination
B Produce antibiotics
C Break down cellulose into simple sugar
D Release enzymes to break down dead organisms

16. Which of the following can affect the growth of microorganisms?

A Oxygen
B Nutrient
C Size of container

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 D Method of sterilisation

17. The diagram shows a life cycle of a mosquito.

Q

S
Which of the following is the most suitable method to control mosquitoes
in stage P?

A Use abate
B Sleep in a net
C Use insecticide
D Covering ponds with oil

18. Which of the following disease spread by mosquitoes?

A Cholera
B Malaria
C Ringworm
D Hepatitis A

19. Which of the following microorganisms can be spread through water?

A C

B D

20. Which of the following disease can be transmitted by air?

A AIDS
B Tinea
C Cholera
D Tuberculosis

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21. The following information shows the symptom of a disease.

Attack reproductive organ

Scar tissue formation
Burning sensation while urinating

What is the disease?

A AIDS
B Hepatitis B
C Gonorrhea
D Tuberculosis

22. Which of the following is a harmful microorganisms?

A Decomposer
B Plasmodium
C Transgenic bacteria
D Nitrogen fixing bacteria

23. Which of the following immunity is acquired by vaccination?

A Natural active immunity

B Artificial active immunity
C Natural passive immunity
D Artificial passive immunity

24. Which of the following is the optimum pH for bacterial growth?

A pH 2
B pH 5
C pH 7
D pH 12

25. The diagram shows four nutrient agar which are kept under different temperatures
and intensity.

P Q R S
7C 20C 35C 37C
Dark Sunlight Dark Sunlight

Which nutrient agar will have most bacteria colonies after three days?

A P
B Q
C R

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 D S

26. Which of the following diseases can be cured by using antibiotics?

A Cholerae
B Hepatitis A
C Dengue fever
D Common cold

27. Which of the following pair is correct about disease and the method of transmission?

Disease Method of transmission

A Hepatitis Vector
B Tuberculosis Water
C Gonorrhea Air
D Ringworm Contact

28. What is usually used to sterile human skin before an injection?

A Chemicals
B Antiseptics
C Disinfectant
D Distilled water

29. Which of the following can be used to sterile operating instruments in hospitals?

A Heat
B Chemical
C Disinfectant
D Ultraviolet light

30. What is the most suitable method to kill microorganisms and their spores?

A Boiling
B Heat in water
C Use antiseptic
D Heat in autoclave

31. A mosquito is a vector.

Which of the following is correct about the vector?

A Cause diseases
B Microorganisms serves as host
C Can be infected by microorganisms
D Transmits pathogen from one person to another

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32. The table below shows the temperature and pH of some bacteria culture in a
petri dish. Which petri dish has the most bacteria colonies after two days?

Petri dish Temperature (0C) pH

A P 20 14
B Q 25 12
C R 37 7
D S 40 3

33. The diagram shows a way to transfer pathogen.

Vector

Food
Faeces

Which of the following pathogen can be transfer this way?

A Plasmodium
B Vibrio cholerae
C Tubercle bacillus
D Human Immunodeficiency virus

34. The table below shows four test tubes U, V, W and X which are filled with glucose
solution and yeast, and placed under different conditions.

Test tube Temperature (C) pH value

J 30 4
K 30 7
L 40 4
M 40 7
Which of the following test tubes will produce the most gas bubbles?

A J C L
B K D M

35. Which of the following reacts with yeast to produce carbon dioxide in a dough?

A Water C Flour
B Sugar D Oil

36. Four paper discs are soaked in different antibiotic solutions and placed on a nutrient
agar which contains bacteria culture. After two days, the results are shown in the
diagram below. Antibiotic in which paper disc is the least effective in killing?

A
B
D
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37. Which of the following is a traditional treatment?

A Herbal
B Surgical
C Antiserum
D Antibiotics

38. Which of the following method is the most suitable to provide immediate protection
against a disease?

A Vaccination
B Taking drugs
C Inject antiserum
D Exposed to ultra violet rays

39. The information shows the ways to prevent infection of certain disease.

Wash hand before eating

Drink boiled water
Always cover food

Which of the following diseases can be prevented through the above ways?

A Tuberculosis and dengue

B Malaria and gonorrhea
C Hepatitis and syphilis
D Cholera and dysentery

40. Which of the following graph is correct to show an artificial active immunity?

A C
Antibody concentration Antibody concentration
in blood in blood

Time (days) Time (days)

B D
Antibody concentration
in blood Antibody concentration
in blood

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161
Time (days)
 PAPER 2

SECTION A

1. Diagram 1 shows an experiment to study the effect of the amount of yeast on

the dough.

7 7
Ruler
6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2
Dough
1 1

20 ml yeast 10 ml yeast

DIAGRAM 1

The results of the experiment are recorded in table 1.

10 ml yeast 20 ml yeast

2.6 ..
TABLE 1

a) Based on the above experiment, complete table 1.

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Substances that can increase the volume of dough
 [1 mark]
b) Write down one inference based on the results of this experiment?

[1 mark]

c) State the variables in this experiment

i. manipulated variable: .

ii. responding variable: .

iii. constant variable: ..

[3 mark]
d) State the conclusion from the experiment.

.
[1 mark]

2. Diagram 2 shows the result of an experiment to study the effect of humidity on

microorganisms growth
Growth of mucor
Moist bread
After 2 days

Dry bread No change

After 2 days

DIAGRAM 2

a) State the hypothesis of the experiment?

... ..
.
[1 mark]
b) What is the observation from the experiment?
... ..
.
[1 mark]
b) State the inference from the experiment?

... ..
.

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 [1 mark]
c) State the variables in this experiment

i) manipulated variable: .

ii) responding variable: .

iii) constant variable: ..

[3 mark]

3. Table 1 shows the result of an experiment to study the effect of temperature on the
number of microbes in river water. The pH value of the river water was kept constant
at 7 and the number of bacteria colonies were measured after 30 minutes at different
temperatures.

.Temperature Number of bacteria colonies

(C) Beginning of experiment After 30 minutes
10 10 12
20 10 14
30 10 20
40 10 15
50 10 10
60 10 5
TABLE 1

a) Plot a graph of the number of bacteria colonies against the temperature.

Number of bacteria
colonies

25

20

15

10

0 30 40 50 60
Temperature (C)

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 10 20

b) State the hypothesis of the experiment?

..
..
[1 mark]

b) What is the relationship between the number of bacteria colonies and

temperature?

..
..
..
[1 mark]
d) State the inference from the experiment?

..
..
[1 mark]
e) State the variables in this experiment

i) manipulated variable: .

ii) responding variable: .

iii) constant variable: ..

[3 mark]

4. Diagram 3 shows the experiment to study the factors that affect growth of
microorganisms
Sterile cotton

5 cm3 nutrient 5 cm3 nutrient 5 cm3 nutrient

broth + 0.5 cm3 broth + 0.5 cm3 broth + 0.5 cm3
culture bacteria + culture bacteria + culture bacteria +
3 cm3 1.0 M 3 cm3 1.0M 3 cm3 distilled
Hydrochloric acid Sodium hydroxide water
P solution Q R

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 DIAGRAM 3

Test tubes P,Q and R are kept at room temperatures. After 48 hours, the content of
each test tube was observed and recorded as shown in the table below.

Test tube Observation

P Clear
Q Clear
R Cloudy

(a) State one inference based on the observation in test tube R.

.
.
[1 mark ]
(b) State the hypothesis of the experiment.
.
.
[1 mark ]

(c) Which test tube has the highest growth rate of microorganisms?
.
[1 mark ]

(d) State one way to keep the constant variable.

.
[1 mark ]

SECTION B

1. Diagram 4 shows five different microorganisms.

J K L M N
DIAGRAM 4

a) Identify the class of microorganisms

J :. M :.
K:. N:..
L:. [1 mark ]

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 b) Which of these microorganisms can make their own food?
.
[1 mark ]

c) Name a disease which is caused by microorganism K

.
[1 mark ]

(d) Which microorganism is inactive outside its living host cells?

.
[1 mark ]
(e) i) State one industrial use of microorganism N.
.
[1 mark ]
ii) How do the organisms N reproduce?

.
[1 mark ]

2. The graph shows the level of immunity of a man.

Antibody concentration
in blood

Level of immunity

0 15 30 45 60 Time (days)
First injection Second injection

a) What type of immunity does the graph show?

.
[1 mark ]
b) Why is this immunity required?
.
[1 mark ]
c) What is the substance use in the injection?

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 .
[1 mark ]
d) Why is the second injection needed?
.

[1 mark ]

e) Match the immunity and action correctly.

1. Natural Active Immunity 2. Natural Passive Immunity

3. Artificial l Active Immunity 4. Artificial Passive Immunity

No. Action Immunity

1 Give vaccination
2 From mother to the baby through placenta
3 Acquired after recovering from infection
4 Injection of prepared antibodies
5 Injection of weakened and mild pathogen
6 Gained by newborn infant
[7 mark ]

SECTION C

1. Study the following statement .

Nutrient can affect the growth of bacteria

You are given nutrient broth, plain broth and cultured bacteria.

a. Suggest a hypothesis to investigate the above statement.

(1 mark)

b. Describe an experiment to test your hypothesis in (a) based on the following

criteria:

Aim of the experiment (1 mark)

Identification of variables (1 mark)
List of apparatus and materials (2 marks)
Procedure (4 marks)
Tabulation of data (1 mark)

2. a) Give four usage of microorganisms and one example for each usage. (4 marks)

b) Diagram shows four microorganisms that caused disease.

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 Virus for Bacteria for
Hepatitis B Cholerae

Microorganisms

Protozoa for Fungi for

Malaria Ringworm

Study the microorganisms above and develop a concept of a pathogen.

Your answer should be based on the following aspects:

Identify two common characteristics of a pathogen

Develop an initial concept of pathogen
Give one example of a pathogen and give a reason for your choice
Give one example of non-pathogen and give a reason for your choice
Develop the actual concept. (6marks)

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