CHAPTER 1 : MICROORGANISMS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON LIVING THINGS

1.1THE CLASSIFICATION OF MICROORGANISMS

• Microorganisms - organisms that cannot be seen through naked eyes

but can be seen through microscope.
• The characteristics of microorganisms include their appearance,
shape, size, method of reproduction, nutrition and habitat.
• Based on the characteristics, microorganisms can be
classified into viruses, bacteria, protozoa, algae and fungi

Viruses Bacteria Protozoa Algae Fungi

Appearanc Consists of DNA Simplest single- Mostly single- Simple Simple, plant like
e (deoxyribonucleic celled organisms. celled. Nuclei organisms that organism
acid) which is Most are contains genetic make food
protected by a surrounded by material. through
protein coat cell wall, some photosynthesis.
have pilli, some Can be
have flagellum unicellular
(euglena) or
multicellular
(spirogyra)

Shape Helical, polyhedral Spherical, Does not have Plant like but lack Tiny thread-like
or a combination of Rod - shaped definite shape many plant structure
both and spiral, (shape changes structures such (hyphae)
comma-shaped when it moves) as roots, stems
bacteria. and leaves.

Size Smallest 0.5 – 1.0 5 – 250 micrometer 1 – 10000 10 – 100

micrometer (can be seen under micrometer micrometer
a microscope with
low magnification)

Method of Need host cell to Asexually – Asexually – binary Some reproduce Release spores
reproduction reproduce. binary fission and fission asexually (binary
budding fission) and some
reproduce
sexually
(conjugation)

Nutrition Parasites Carry out Parasites Carry out Parasites or

photosynthesis, photosynthesis saprotrophs
parasites and
saprotrophs

Habitat Host cells Everywhere Soil, fresh water, Mostly in water, Host cells
(animals, plants oceans and other some in damp
and some bacteria) organisms area including
(as parasites) soil, on rocks and
on living things

Examples Tobacco mosaic Vibrios, cocci, Amoeba, Euglena, Moulds and yeast
virus, adenovirus diplococci, paramecium spirogyra and
and streptococci and diatoms
bacteriophagea staphylococci
 Notes :
• Parasites - Obtain food from animals, plants and other organism
• Saprotrophs - absorb nutrients from dead organisms
• Pilli - enable bacteria to stick to certain surfaces
• Flagellum - a tail that helps bacteria to move

1.2FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE GROWTH OF MICROORGANISMS

1. Nutrient
• Microbs need energy for growth and reproduction.
• Starch, amino acids, fats, glucose and inorganic compounds are needed to supply energy
• Algae and certain bacteria carry out photosynthesis to make food.
• Parasitics microbes (except algae) absorb nutrients from their hosts
• Saprotrophics (moulds and certain bacteria) feed on dead matter for nutrients

2) Humidity
• Microbes need water to stay alive, without water they would be inactive or dead
• Moisture content between 25% to 40% is suitable to carry out their normal activity
• Moisture content 3% will affect the growth of microbes
• In a dry condition, bacteria can form spores and become inactive.The spores become active again
when moisture is available

3) Light
• Algae and certain bacteria need light to carry out photosynthesis
• Other microbes can live with or without light.
• Some bacteria and fungi grow better in a dark condition because ultra violet rays could affect the
growth rate of the microbes and even kill them

4) Temperature
• Temperature 35oC - 40oC is suitable for microorganism activity
• Below 0oC microbes will be inactive unless some microbes
• Temperature more then 50oC, bacteria form spores (can survieve until 120oC.)
5) pH
• Neutral environment with pH 7 is the most suitable for the growth of microorganism
• Some microbes prefer pH > 7 while some prefers less.
• Too high or too low pH value could prevent the growth of microorganisms

1.3 Useful Microorganism

• Some microbes are harmful and cause diseases but some are useful and benefit us.
• Examples of the uses of microbes are:
i) Digesting animal’s food
ii) Making bread
iii)Purifying water in sewage treatment plant
iv)Making antibiotics
v) Making cheese

• Food Digestion
i) Intestinal bacteria help in food digestion (eg in yoghurt) and destroying harmful organism
ii) It also produces some vitamins that are needed by our body
iii) Most of the herbivores have a sac called caecum, which contains bacteria.
iv) This bacteria produces cellulose, an enzyme which breaks cellulose into glucose.

• Decaying Processs
i) Bacteria and fungi decompose (break down) dead organisms and animals wastes into chemical
compounds such as ammonia
ii) This process enriches the soil and makes essential substances available to plants.
 iii) In sewage treatment plants, bacteria can break down the solid wastes into harmless by-
products such as carbon dioxide.

• Medicine
i) Penicillium Notatum ( eg of mould) produces antibiotic called penicillin that used to treat
many diseases caused by bacteria.
ii) Some geneticcaly engineered bacteria produces vaccines to prevent infectious diseases
iii) Some geneticcaly engineered bacteria produces insulin to treat diabetics.

• Agriculture
i) Bacteria and fungi break down dead plants and animals releasing ammonia which add
nitrogen into soil
ii) The Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil change the ammonia into nitrates that are taken by
plant to make amino acids.
iii) Rhizobium (Live in the pea and bean plant,s roots called root nodules or legumes) convert
the nitrogen into amino acids..
iv) Bacteria is inserted into certain crops and produces toxin that is harmful to some insects
to produce pesticides.

• Industry
i) Certain bacteria are used in production of milk, yoghurt, and cheese through fermentation.
ii) Several bacteria are used in production of soy sauce, chocolate, certain B vitamins and
most soft drinks.
iii) Moulds are used in production of cheese to ripen the cheese and provide the distinctive
flavours.
iv) Yeast causes the bread to rise by producing carbon dioxcide bubbles and makes the bread
fluffy

Potential uses of microorganisms

• Viruses
i) Replace pesticides to kill insects that damage crops because pesticides may harm people.
ii) To produce vaccines and drugs
• Fungi
i) Yeast becomes new source of food that is rich of protein and B vitamins.

1.4 THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF MICROORGANISM

• Some microorganisms can cause diseases (pathogens)

• Pathogens :
1. bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa
2. live in host cells which they cause diseases
3. They cause diseases in two ways :
- produce poisonous chemicals (toxin)
- attack and destroy host cells and body tissues

A) BACTERIA
1. TUBERCULOSIS (TB)
• Caused by bacilli bacteria (rod shape)
• Affect the lungs, lymph, nodes, bones and joints.
• Symptom : severe coughing, chest pain, fever, sweating at night, fatigue, weight loss and loss of
appetite

2. CHOLERA
• Caused by vibrios bacteria (bent rod shape)
• The bacteria is transmitted by water or food that has
been contaminated with the feaces of people who have
the disease.
• Affect the intestines.
• Symptom : severe diarrhea, vomiting and fatigue
• If left untreated can lead to shock death.

3. GONORRHEA
• Caused by cocci bacteria (sphere shape)
• The bacteria is spread through sexual intercourse
 • For men :
Infect the urethra
Symptom : After 1 – 14 days, men will develop a
burning sensation during urinating and some
discharge(yellowish).
• For women :
Infection starts inside the vagina
Symptom : painful urination and some discharge
• If left untreated can bring serious health problem and
may lead to sterility or even death.

4. SYPHILIS
• Caused by spirilla bacteria (spiral shape)
• The bacteria is spread through sexual intercourse
• Symptom : small red pimples at the reproductive
organ, rash on the body (soles of the feet and palms),
fever, headache, hair loss.
• If left untreated, the bacteria may attack the brain,
heart, skin, bones and spinal cord.
• May cause blindness, deafness, mental illness,
heart failure, paralysis and bone deformities.

B) VIRUSES
1. COMMON COLD
• Caused by viral infections of the mucous membranes of the and
• Infection may spread to the ears, , eyes and throat (causes soreness and hoarseness)
• Symptom : stuffy nose, difficulties in breathing, persons body will chills and loss of appetite.
• If colds spread to the air passages and lungs, they may cause and
• Common cold last for a few days.
2. DENGUE FEVER
• Caused by four distinct viruses carried by
• Symptom : fever, headaches, eye aches and pain in
• Also may cause a runny nose, and
• Symptoms appear three to days after a disease – bearing mosquito bites the victim.
• Rash breaks out on the of the illness.
• Patient may experience and a weak pulse.
• Dengue haemorrhage fever often

3. AIDS ( )
• Caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Symptom : , tiredness, fever, loss of appetite and weight, diarrhea, yeast
of the mouth and vagina and .
• May cause pneumonia, yeast infections of the ,
, Kaposi’s sarcoma and

4. HEPATITIS
• Caused by misuse of alcohol and and viruses.
• Symptom : fatigue, , nausea, urine becomes dark and
appears.
• May lead to liver failure and death.
• Chronic hepatitis : disease become persistent
: May experience mild, vague symptoms of fatigue and
: lead to liver disease called cirrhosis

C) FUNGI
1. TINEA
• White spots on , body, hands and feet.
• Infected area looks than uninfected area.
 2. RINGWORM
• Caused by tiny fungi
• Symptom : small red area and can grow
: inside area is and eruption appears as a red,
• May attack the patient’s neck, back, chest and
• Another type of ringworm : appears as a soft white area between the

D) PROTOZOA

1. MALARIA
• Caused by protozoans (Plasmodium)
• Transmitted by female .
• Symptom : malaria attack lasts two or more hours.
: fever with temperature that may reach , headache, muscular pain, nausea and

: patient perspires, causing the body temperature to drop to

: between the attacks, patient will feels better but
: victims become weaker with each attack of fever
• If left untreated the victims will die.

How microorganisms can cause infection?

Pathogens : infectious microorganisms

: they pass diseases from one living thing to
: can be spread in many ways (air, water, , and vector.

1.5 WAYS TO PREVENT INFECTION CAUSED BY MICROORGANISMS

Ways to prevent infection

Control of
Sterilisation Immunisation
vectors

Heat
Control of

Active immunity Passive immunity

Control of

Radiation

Natural Natural

Artificial Artificial
1.6 Ways To Treat Diseases Caused By Microbes

- Scientists make useful drugs such as antibiotics and antifungal drugs

to treat certain diseases.

- Antibiotics :
• A substance that is produced by certain bacteria or fungi that can
kill pathogenic microorganisms
• Especially useful for treating infections caused by bacteria, some
antibiotics are effective against infections caused by fungi and
protozoa.
• Fights microorganisms by interfering with normal cell functions in
three ways:
i) Prevention of cell wall formation, example penicillin
ii) Disruption of the cell membrane
iii)Disruption of chemical processes

• Can cause unpleasant or dangerous side effects if they are used

without medical advice or through unauthorized prescription
because antibiotics may:
i) damage tissues and organs if patient use antibiotics extensively
ii) form antibiotics resistance if patient does not finish taking the
antibiotics
iii) cause allergic reactions such as fever or rashes
iv) destruct helpful microbes when certain antibiotics could not
distinguish between harmless and dangerous microbes.

- Antifungal drugs:
• A medication used to treat fungal infections such as athlete’s foot
and ringworm.
• Kills or inhibits the growth of fungi.

1.7 Realising That Microbes Have Profound Effects On Human Beings

And The Balance Of Nature

- Microbes can be either useful or can bring negative effects to human

and the balance of nature.
- Example of the useful of microbes:
i) Bacteria and yeast - to make cheese, yoghurt and bread.
ii) Fungi such as Penicillium produces antibiotics called Penicillin .
iii) Bacteria in the soil releases nitrates, Rhizobium convert nitrogen
into ammonium form.
iv) Microscopic algae in the oceans are the ultimate source of food for
almost marine life and release oxygen into the atmosphere.
v) Genitacally modified bacteria produces insulin to treat diabetics.
- Example of the negative effects of microbes:
i) Pathogens can cause infectious diseases such as malaria,
dengue fever and AIDS
ii) Certain algae can turn the sea red, poisoning sea animals with
toxins.