Microorganisms

Overview of the Major ClassesOverview of the Major Classesfor thefor the

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What Are Microorganisms?

Living things that are Living things that are usuallyusually too small to too small to see with the naked eye.see with the naked eye.

They can be They can be parasiticparasitic, , saprophyticsaprophytic, , mutualistic, mutualistic, beneficial, or harmful.beneficial, or harmful.

Some are Some are photosyntheticphotosynthetic.. Some have been genetically manipulated.Some have been genetically manipulated.

About Microorganisms

They are found They are found everywhereeverywhere!! On deep sea vents. (more)On deep sea vents. (more) In Antarctica. (more)In Antarctica. (more) On Mars! (more) On Mars! (more) They can be measured from They can be measured from AngstromsAngstroms

(viruses) all the way to (viruses) all the way to metersmeters (sea (sea algae).algae).

Classes of Microorganisms

VirusesViruses BacteriaBacteria ProtistsProtists AlgaeAlgae FungiFungi

Retrieved from www.ams.rdg.ac.uk/…/simon/teaching1.htm

Virus Overview ParasiticParasitic ““Specific” for host cellSpecific” for host cell Classified according toClassified according to

Type of nucleic acidType of nucleic acid Type of “cycle”/means Type of “cycle”/means

of transmissionof transmission HostHost ““Envelope” the virus hasEnvelope” the virus has Type of disease the Type of disease the

virus causesvirus causes

Herpes simplex: the cold sore virus

Bacteria Overview Saprophytic and Saprophytic and

mutualisticmutualistic ProkaryoticProkaryotic Classified according to Classified according to

shapeshape Bacillus (rod-shaped)Bacillus (rod-shaped) Coccus (spherical)Coccus (spherical) Spirillus (spiral-shaped)Spirillus (spiral-shaped)

Some are genetically Some are genetically manipulatedmanipulated

Bacilli on hard surface

Protist Overview Mostly aquatic Mostly aquatic EukaryoticEukaryotic Classified according to Classified according to

means of means of locomotionlocomotion PsuedopodiaPsuedopodia CiliaCilia FlagellaFlagella

Euglena are photosyntheticEuglena are photosynthetic Most are harmless unless Most are harmless unless

ingestedingested Sketch of an ameoba

Algae Overview Very (mm) small to very large Very (mm) small to very large

(meters)(meters) Prokaryotic and eukaryoticProkaryotic and eukaryotic Usually classified according to Usually classified according to

colorcolor Blue-green (cyanophyta)Blue-green (cyanophyta) ““Golden” (chyrsophyta)Golden” (chyrsophyta) Green (chlorophyta)Green (chlorophyta) Brown (phaeophyta)Brown (phaeophyta) Red (rhodophyta)Red (rhodophyta)

Used in industryUsed in industry Example: algin in ice creamExample: algin in ice creamAcetabularia

Fungi Overview Decomposers and parasiticDecomposers and parasitic EukaryoticEukaryotic Classified according to gamete Classified according to gamete

distributiondistribution Chytridiomycota (aquatic)Chytridiomycota (aquatic) Zygomycota (no spore sac)Zygomycota (no spore sac) Ascomycota (sac fungi)Ascomycota (sac fungi) Basidiomycota (club fungi)Basidiomycota (club fungi) Dueteromycetes (imperfect Dueteromycetes (imperfect

fungi)fungi)

Ascomycetes decomposing the substrate

Conclusion Microorganisms are a diverse group of living Microorganisms are a diverse group of living

thingsthings They exist in many different environmentsThey exist in many different environments They can be prokaryotic or eukaryoticThey can be prokaryotic or eukaryotic Some can be seen and some are too small to be Some can be seen and some are too small to be

seenseen Some can be manipulated to be beneficial, others Some can be manipulated to be beneficial, others

help clean up the environment, still others may be help clean up the environment, still others may be parasitic or harmful to their hostsparasitic or harmful to their hosts

Vocabulary Parasitic – a situation where an organism lives off Parasitic – a situation where an organism lives off

another; it contributes nothing and is potentially another; it contributes nothing and is potentially harmful to its host.harmful to its host.

Saprophytic – a condition where an organism lives off Saprophytic – a condition where an organism lives off dead or decaying matter.dead or decaying matter.

Mutualistic – a condition where two different species Mutualistic – a condition where two different species lives with each other; each contributes to the welfare lives with each other; each contributes to the welfare of the other.of the other.

Photosynthetic – using light to make its own food.Photosynthetic – using light to make its own food.

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Vocabulary

Angstrom – a measurement equal to one Angstrom – a measurement equal to one ten-billionth (1.0 x 10 ten-billionth (1.0 x 10 –10–10 ) meter! ) meter!

Meter – the Meter – the SI unitSI unit of length. of length. SI – System International; also known as SI – System International; also known as

the metric system.the metric system. Unit – the standard that is equivalent to Unit – the standard that is equivalent to

“one”.“one”.Back to tutorial

Vocabulary Locomotion – means of movementLocomotion – means of movement Psuedopodia – “false feet”; cytoplasmic Psuedopodia – “false feet”; cytoplasmic

extensionsextensions Cilia – short hair-like extensionsCilia – short hair-like extensions Flagella – long whip-like extensionFlagella – long whip-like extension

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Questions? Comments?

C. M. Johnson, Science Chair – Wenonah C. M. Johnson, Science Chair – Wenonah High SchoolHigh School

205.231.1685 - ofc205.231.1685 - ofc 205.249.8772 – mobile205.249.8772 – mobile cmjohnson@bhamcityschools.org cmjohnson@bhamcityschools.org

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