LEARNING AREA:

Microorganisms and their effects

on living things

THEME: Man And The Variety Of
Living Things
Microorganisms and
its effects on our lives
1.2: Growth affected
1.1: Classification
1.3: uses of
microorganisms
1.4: Harmful effects
of microorganisms
1.7: Profound effects
1.6: Diseases
1.5: Prevention
1.1: Learning Objective:
Understanding the classification of
microorganisms
Learning outcomes:
List the characteristics of various types of
microorganisms
Classify microorganisms into bacteria,
fungi, protozoa, viruses and algae
Describe the characteristics of each
group of microorganisms

Classification of microorganisms
Microorganisms known as microbes that
cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Can be seen with a microscope.
Classified into 5 groups based on following
criteria:
- virus, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, algae
Viruses
Smallest and simple microorganism
Shape : helical, polyhedral or combination of
both
Size: 0.02 m 0.4 m
Parasites obtain food from
other organism (host cells)
The reproductive cycle of viruses
Bacteria
Microscopic organism- simplest single-celled
organism
Some bacteria have a flagellum
Shape: spherical (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli),
spiral (spirillia), comma-shaped (vibrios)
Size: 0.5 1.0 m
Nutrition: photosynthesis, parasites, saprotroph
Reproductions: asexually- binary fission,
budding
Shape of bacteria
Protozoa
Unicellular microscopic organisms
Complex internal structure- nuclei (containing
genetic material)
Most are single-celled, some are in groups or
colonies
Size- 5 250 m
Example: amoeba and paramecium
Reproduction system: asexually (binary
fission)
Protozoa
Amoeba
Live in soil, fresh
water, oceans and
other organisms.
Not have definite
shape
Use pseudopodium
to move and capture
food (bacteria)
Paramecium
Live in fresh water
Shape like slipper
Has tiny hair cilia
Use to move and
draw food into its
body
Algae
Simple organism, can photosynthesis (has
chlorophyll) and found in water, soil, on rock
Not considered as a plant (not have roots,
stems, leaves)
Unicellular - euglena, Multicellular - spirogyra
Size: 1 - 10000 m
Reproductive system: asexually- binary
fission, sexually- conjugation
Example of algae
Fungi
Do not contain chlorophyll
Feed on either living things or dead matter
Size: 10 100 m
Example: mould and yeast
Mycellium- main part of most fungi found
underground
It is a mass of tiny thread-like structure called
hyphae
Fungi
1.2: Synthesising ideas about the factors that
affect the growth of microorganisms
Identify factors that affect the growth of microorganisms
Design an experiments to study how nutrient affects the
growth of microorganisms
Design an experiments to study how humidity affects the
growth of microorganisms
Design an experiments to study how light affects the growth of
microorganisms
Design an experiments to study how temperature affects the
growth of microorganisms
Design an experiments to study how pH affects the growth of
microorganisms
Explain how each factor affects the growth of microorganisms
Factors that affect
the growth of
microorganisms
Nutrient
Humidity
Temperature
Light
pH
Nutrient
Saprophytes

Decomposing
bacteria
Ex: Decaying
organic substances
Parasites

Absorb nutrient
from their host
Ex: Bacteria
Autotrophs

Manufacture their
own food through
photosynthesis
Ex: Algae
Humidity
Relative humidity 25% 40 %
Dry condition fungi and bacteria can
form spores and inactive.
Light
Algae need enough light (to carry out
photosynthesis)
Viruses, bacteria, fungi without light
UV rays will kill microorganisms
Temperature
35C - 40C optimum temperature
Below 0C inactive
More 50C form spores
pH
pH 7 most suitable
Too high / low can prevent the growth
1.3: Applying knowledge about
useful microorganisms
State examples
of uses
of
microorganisms
Explain with
examples the
roles of
useful
microorganisms
Suggest potential
uses of
microorganisms
in various field
Applying knowledge
about useful
microorganisms
Medicine
Industry
Food digestion
Decaying
process
Agriculture
Food digestion
Example of bacteria that can help in food
digestion: Lactobacillus acidophilus,
Bifidobacteria, Streptoceucus thermophilus.
Intestinal bacteria produce some vitamins and
help in food digestion.
Herbivores cannot digest cellulose. Therefore
they have a caecum produce cellulase that
breaks cellulose into glucose.
Decaying process
Bacteria and fungi act as decomposers which
change complex organic substances into
simple compound.
Decomposition enriches the soil and make
essential substance available to plant in a form
that they can use

Medicine
Bacteria and fungi produce antibiotics
Penicillium notatum- produce pencillin
Bacteria produce vitamins, vaccines
Agriculture
Bacteria and fungi increase the amount of
nitrogen in the soil nitrogen fixing bacteria
Rhizobium convert nitrogen
into acid amino
As a biological control to kill
insect pets.
Industry
Yeast
Making bread
Alcohol
Bacteria
Making yoghurt
Making cheese
Making vinegar
Making soy sauce
(fungi also)
Making a beverage
Making leather
Decomposing bacteria
1.4: Analysing the harmful effects
of microorganisms
State the harmful effects of microorganisms on
human being
Relate each group of microorganisms to the
diseases caused by it,
Describe the major symptoms of diseases
caused by each group of microorganisms
Describe the various ways how
microorganisms can cause infection
Harmful effects of microorganisms
Microorganisms that caused diseases are called
pathogens.
Its cause diseases in 2 ways:
1. produce poisonous chemical
2. attack and destroy host cells
Bacteria
Diseases Symptoms Infection
1. Tuberculosis
(bacili rod shape)
Lymph nodes, bones, joins
-Fever
-Severe coughing
-Sweating at night
-Chest pain
Through air
2. Cholera
(vibrio bacteria)
Vomiting, diarrhoea, severe
muscle cramps
Water / food that being
contaminated
3. Gonorrhea
(coccus bacteria)

Male inflammation of
urethra
Female inflammation of
urethra, uterus, cervix

Sexual intercourse

4. Syphilis
(spiral bacteria)
-Ulcer, red spots on the
reproduction organ
-Rashes, pain in the muscle
-Nervous system infected
Sexual intercourse


Viruses
Diseases Symptoms Infection
1. Influenza/
common cold
-Coughs / sneezes
-blocked nasal cavities
-Headache
-pneumonia
Through air
2. Dengue fever -fever
-headache
-pain in muscle and joins
-rashes on the skin
-bleeding nose, mouth, internal organ
Vector (aedes)
3. Hepatitis A
and B
Hepatitis A Hepatitis B
-Fever, headache, fever, rashes on skin,
Jaundice, swollen liver swollen liver, internal
bleeding
Contaminated
food
4. AIDS Enlarged lymph glands, tiredness, fever, loss of
appetite and weight, yeast infection of the mouth and
vagina.
Sexual
intercourse, blood
transfer
Protozoa
Diseases Symptoms Infection
1. Malaria Headache, nausea,
sweating, muscle pain,
rapid rise of body
temperature
Vector
-Female
anopheles
mosquito
Fungi
Diseases Symptoms Infection
1. Tinea Skin infected
become bright
with white spots
on the face, body,
hands, legs
Touch or contact
2. Ringworm Small red area Touch or contact
1.5: Analysing ways to prevent infection
caused by microorganisms
List ways to prevent infection.
Relate the control of vectors to their habits and life cycles
Explain with examples various methods of sterilisation
State what immunity is
State with examples types of immunity
State the importance of immunity
Compare and contrast the various types of immunity
Ways to prevent infection
caused by microorganisms

Control of vectors
-Control the
spread of
diseases
Sterilization
-Kills all types of
Microorganisms
and their spores
Immunization
Controls of houseflies
Adult housefly
Pupae
eggs
Larvae
Can control by
using insecticides
Cleans house
regularly
Cover food
properly.
Cover food
properly, dispose of
waste in covered
waste bin
Controls of mosquitoes
Adult mosquitoes
Pupae
eggs
Larvae
Can control by using
insecticides
Using abate
Spray oil to water surface
Surface of the water
covered with thin layers of
oil or insecticides
Sterilization
a) Heat
b) Chemical
c) Radiation
a) Heat
Autoclave
121C / 15 minutes
High pressure
Kill microbes and spores
b) Chemical
1) antiseptics
applied on the surface of skin to prevent the
breeding of microbes.
iodine solution, acryflavin, boric acid,
hydrogen peroxide.
2) disinfectants
damage human tissues
use to clean floors, walls
lysol, formalin, phenol
c) Radiation
1) gamma rays kill microbes/ spores
2) ultra violets kill microbes
Immunization
Increases the ability of the body to fight
against diseases.
Immunity is the ability of the human body to
resist infection by pathogens by producing
antibodies.
There are 2 types of immunity:
Passive
Active
Active Immunity
Acquired after a certain antigen enters the
body- infection or vaccination
Lymphocytes- produce antibodies to fight
against the pathogen that causes the disease
Vaccine- stimulate body immune system to
produce antibodies
Chickenpox, measles, rubella and tetanus
Active immunity
Immunity level
First infection
Second infection
Week
Antibody level
Passive Immunity
Acquired by receiving injections of serum
(contains antibodies for fighting a particular
disease) artificial passive immunity
Short-lived, lasting only a few weeks to a few
months.
Breast-fed babies receive additional antibodies
from their mother milk natural passive
immunity
Artificial passive immunity
Immunity level
Day
Antibody level
First dose Second dose
Immunity
Artificial
(from injection
or antiserum)
Natural
(from mother
during pregnancy
or from
mothers milk)
Artificial
(obtained
through
vaccination )
Natural
(obtain after
recovery
from diseases)
Passive
(body receives
antibody)
Active
(body produces
antibody)
The importance of immunity
Help human from being infected
Artificial Passive Immunity - to prevent the
diseases and helping patients to recover fast
Vaccination to prevent the spread of diseases
and to prevent an outbreaks of a particular
diseases
Antibiotics
1.6: understanding how diseases caused by
microorganisms are treated
State the ways
to treat
diseases caused
by
microorganisms
State the effects
of antibiotics
on
microorganisms
Describe the
dangers of
using drugs
without
medical advice
and through
unauthorized
prescription
Ways to treat diseases caused by
microorganisms
Antibiotics
a substance produced
by certain bacteria or
fungi that can kill
pathogen
fight microorganisms
by interfering with
normal cell functions
by 3 ways.

Antifungal drug
a medication used to
treat fungal infection
The effects of antibiotics on
microorganisms
Prevention of cell wall formation.
Disruption of the cell membrane.
Disruption of chemical processes.

The dangers of using drugs without
medical advice and through unauthorised
prescription
Taking an inappropriate antibiotics, the patient
will suffer from other complications
Failure to complete the entire prescribed
antibiotic resistance.
Used without medical advice
- Allergic reactions,
- Destruction of helpful microbes
- Damage of organs/ tissues
1.7: Realising that microorganisms
have profound effects on human being
and the balance in nature
Learning outcome:
Describe the roles and effects of
microorganism on humans and the
balance in nature

Effects on human life
Use bacteria to produce food such as cheese
and yoghurt.
Yeast to produce bread, alcohol
Bacteria and viruses are used to prepare
vaccines.
Microorganisms are used in genetic
engineering.
Harmful microorganisms such as bacteria,
viruses, fungi, protozoa cause dangerous
diseases.
Balance of nature
Saprophytic microorganisms in the soil help to
recycle useful nutrients through the decay
process.
Bacteria are used to clear up oil spills. So that
aquatic organisms are not killed.
Bacteria and protozoa used in waste treatment
plants.
Bacteria play an important role in the nitrogen
cycle.
Exercises:
1. Which of the following is the smallest microorganism
A. Algae
B. Bacteria
C.Protozoa
D. Viruses
2. Below are the ways to prevent infection of certain diseases
* Wash hands before eat
* 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 gonorrheae
C. Hepatitis and syphilis
D. Cholera and dysentery
Objective

3. What causes dough to rise when yeast is added to it
A. An increase in temperature
B. An increase in the amount of dough
C. An increase in the number of yeast cells
D. The release of carbon dioxide gas
4. Active immunity is obtained when the vaccine which is
A. Requires antibiotic for treatment
B. Stimulates the body to produce antibody
C. Stimulates the body cells to produce white blood cells
D. Requires serum containing antibody
5. Penicillin is an example of an
A. Antibody
B. Antigen
C. Antibiotic
D. Antiseptic
SECTION A : STRUCTURED ITEMS
1. Figure 1 shows the apparatus used to study the effect of antibiotics on
bacterial growth.




Three penicillin of the discs W,X and Y of different concentrations and a
tetracycline disc Z were placed on the surface of the nutrient agar containing
bacteria culture. The petri dish was kept at a temperature of 37 C.After five
days, a clear area was observed around each disc and the diameter as shown
in Table 1 below




a) Using the observation in Table 1, which disc has the highest concentration of
penicillin? ( 1 mark )
b) Which antibiotic is more effective in retarding the growth of the bacteria?
( 1 mark )
c) From which microorganism is penicillin extracted? ( 1 mark )
d) State the fixed variable in this experiment and how to make it constant
( 2marks )
W Z
Y X
Clear area
Nutrient agar + bacteria
discs W X Y Z
Diameter of clear area (cm) 1.6 2.5 2.0 0.8
SECTION B: STRUCTURED ITEMS
Figure 2 shows the change in the amount of antibodies in the body of a person injected
with a vaccine twice.











a) What is a vaccine. ( 1 mark )
b) Name a disease which can be prevented by vaccination. ( 1 mark )
c) What happens in the body after vaccination. ( 1 mark )
d) Why does the person need to be vaccinated twice. ( 1 mark )
e) What type of immunity is represented by the graph in Figure 2. ( 1 mark )
Immunity level
Amount of antibody in blood
Time (days)
First injection
Second injection
1. Study the following statement.



a) Suggest a hypothesis to investigate the above statement. (1 mark)
b) Describe an experiment to test the hypothesis you have stated based
on the following criteria:
c) i. Aim of the experiment (1 mark)
d) ii. Identification of variables (2 marks)
e) Iii. List of apparatus and material (2 marks)
f) Iv. Procedure (2 marks)
g) V. Data (1 mark)
h) Vi. Conclusion (1 mark)
Bacterial activity (growth) is affected by the pH.
Achieved after suffering from a disease
Vaccination
Natural immunity

2. Study the data given Figure 1 and build the concept of
immunization. Your answer should be based on the following
steps:
i. Identify the data ( 1 mark )
ii. State TWO common characteristics ( 2 marks )
iii. Relate the common characteristics in order to construct the
initial concept ( 1 mark )
iv. Name ONE example of another ( 1 mark )
v. Give the actual concept ( 1 mark )
3a. (i) What is the meaning of vector. (1 mark)
(ii) Give 3 examples of vector. (3 marks)

3b. Study the following information.



(i) from the above information
- Identify the problem
- List out the problem
- List of prevention
(ii) choose the best of prevention and explain it.
(6 marks)
The female mosquitoes usually lay their eggs in pools of
still water, old tyres and tin cane that contain standing
water.
Answer
Back to exercises:
1. D
2. D
3. D
4. B
5. C

1 (a) X
(b) Penicillin
(c) Fungus
(d) Temperature, incubate at 37 C

2. (a) A suspension containing weakened or dead
pathogens of a particular diseases.
(b) Cholera / Hepatitis / TB
(c) The white blood cells are stimulates to
produce antibodies
(d) To increase the number of antibodies to
exceed the immunity level.



1. (a) Bacteria grow fast in a neutral medium (pH 7).
(b) To study the effect of pH on the growth of bacteria
(c) Manipulated variable: pH values
Responding variable: the number of bacteria colonies
Fixed variable: type of bacteria
(d) Petri dishes, cellophane tape, nutrient agar, Bacillus subtilis bacteria
culture, hydrochloric acid solution,distilled water,sodium hydroxide
solution.
(e)
1. All apparatus are sterilized
2. 10 cm nutrient agar is poured into each petri dish labelled K,L,M.
3. 1 cm dilute hydrochloric is added to the nutrient agar in petri dish K.
4. 1 cm dilute sodium hydroxide is added to the nutrient agar in petri dish L
5. 1 cm distilled water is added to the nutrient agar in petri dish M
6. The agar in the petri dishes are allowed to cool and set
7.1 cm of Bacillus subtilis culture is added to the agar surface in each dish
and the dishes are swirled to spread the bacteria evenly.
8. Each petri dish is then sealed with cellophane tape and left in an
inverted position.
9. After 2 days, each petri dish is observed.
Conclusion: Bacteria grow well under neutral ( pH 7 )

Petri dish Condition Observations
K Acidic 0
L Neutral 8
M Alkaline 0
(h)
2. (a) Active immunity
(b) i. Produce own antibodies
ii. Prevent diseases permanently
(c) When the body produce own
antibodies it refers to active immunity
(d) i. slow response
ii. Immediate response
(e) Active immunity refers to the body
produce own antibodies.

3. (a) i. An animal that carry pathogens
ii. Housefly / mosquito / rat
(b) i. Female mosquito usually lay their eggs
in standing water.
(c) Spreading dengue fever.
i. Spray oil to water surface
ii. Eradicating breeding grounds
iii. Using Abate.
(d) any answer and the explanation must be
relate to their answer.