CONTENT

MICRO ORGANISMS
• INTRODUCTION TO FUNGI BY SACHINI

• POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EFFECTS BY

SAVINDI

• APPLICATIONS BY ANTAR

PROJECT REPORT FOR LIFE SCIENCES

(SCN1207)
MS. INDIKA UPULI HETTIARACHCHI
 1

Introduction

Fungi are classified as eukaryotic creatures because their cells have distinct nuclei and

organelles that are attached to membranes.

Fungi were formerly considered to be members of the plant kingdom, but they have

since been divided from plants due to their lack of chlorophyll and distinctive

physiological and structural characteristics, such as parts of the cell wall and cell

membrane.

There are incredibly vast amounts of fungi everywhere: in the air, on plants and

animals, in lakes, rivers, and seas; in food and clothing; and even inside human

bodies. Fungi, in conjunction with bacteria, break down organic materials and release

nitrogen, phosphorous, carbon, and oxygen into the soil and atmosphere.

Numerous domestic and commercial operations depend on fungi, most notably

those that produce bread, wine, beer, and several types of cheese.

Fungi can also be eaten; truffles, morels, and other types of mushrooms are

considered epicurean delicacy. Additionally, foods high in protein can be made using

mycoproteins, or fungal proteins, which are obtained from the mycelia of specific

fungal species.

BY SACHINI THUMALJA
 2
POSITIVE EFFECTS OF FUNGI NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF FUNGI

 Bioremediation – branch of  Diseases – causes conditions

Biotechnology that employs like powdery mildews in plants,
the use of living organisms to and histoplasmosis in animals.
decontaminate affected areas

 Medicine – fungi has medical  Food spoilage – by causing

properties that help lower decay and producing toxins.
cholesterol, or toxins causing
decay.
 Food production –  Allergies – lead to respiratory
fermentation using yeast is problems like coughing and
used for making bread and asthma attacks.
beer.

 Ecosystem support – helps  Structural damage – break

break down organic matter by down of infrastructure made of
decomposition. organic material like wood.

 Symbiotic relationships –  Environment imbalance –

alters the distribution of invasive fungi can out compete
species across the planet native species.

BY SAVINDI
 3

APPLICATIONS

Fungi showing symbiotic Magic mushrooms – consumed in various

methods, creating pyelitic effects.
characteristics

Yeast as a microscopic fungi helps

in making of bread

By ANTAR OMAR
 4

GROUP VIRUS

CONTENT

 INTRODUCTION TO VIRUS
BY MINUKI

 POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE

EFFECTS BY AISHWARYA

 APPLICATIONS BY SAMUDHI
 5

Introduction

 Viruses are small obligate intracellular parasites, which by definition contain

either a RNA or DNA genome surrounded by a protective, virus-coded protein
coat. Viruses may be viewed as mobile genetic elements, most probably of
cellular origin and characterized by a long co-evolution of virus and host.

 Viruses can be extremely simple in design, consisting of nucleic acid

surrounded by a protein coat known as a capsid. The capsid is composed of
smaller protein components referred to as capsomers. The capsid + genome
combination is called a nucleocapsid.

 Viruses can also possess additional components, with the most common being
an additional membranous layer that surrounds the nucleocapsid, called an
envelope. The envelope is actually acquired from the nuclear or plasma
membrane of the infected host cell, and then modified with viral proteins
called peplomers.

 Some viruses contain viral enzymes that are necessary for infection of a host
cell and coded for within the viral genome. A complete virus, with all the
components needed for host cell infection, is referred to as a virion.

 Some viruses can cause a latent infection, inserting their viral DNA into the host
cell genome, allowing them to co-exist peacefully with their host cells for long
periods of time

 Some enveloped eukaryotic viruses can also be released one at a time from an
infected host cell, in a type of budding process, causing a persistent infection.

BY MINUKI SAKITHMA
 6

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF VIRUS NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF VIRUS

 Virotherapy uses viruses as vectors  Diseases caused

to treat various diseases, as they will  Chicken pox
specifically target cells and DNA.  Covid 19
 Influenza
E.G – oncolytic virus , an  Common cold
immunotherapy called T-VEC  Pneumonia
 Diarrhea
 HIV
 Hepatitis B

 Bacteriophages in the sewage have  Viruses have the potential to multi-

the potential to deconstruct the high ply ,thereby they can cause fatal in-
bacterial level in a systematic man- fections like HIV
ner.

E.g. - Bacteriophage is often utilized in

water preservation because it can destroy
the bacteria and keep water fresh.

 Nanoscale materials are arranged ,  Viruses have the ability to cause

with the help of viruses [viruses are
used in nanotechnology ]
E.g. – mammalian viruses are being
developed as vectors for gene delivery.
cancer to humans and other ani-
mals.
E.g. - Human papillomavirus and
hepatitis B virus genotypes contain
viruses that cause cancer in humans.

 Viruses have contributed important  Eradicating a viral disease is a very

insights into various elements of difficult task
cell biology.

BY AISHWARYA KUMARAN
 7

Applications

1. Developing vaccines

Viruses are used as vectors to deliver antigens

into host cells, triggering an immune response.

2. Gene Therapy
3. Nanotechnology
Viral vectors deliver
therapeutic genes to target Viruses' unique structures are
cells, treating genetic harnessed in nanotechnology
disorders, cancer, and other for drug delivery, material
diseases. synthesis, and building nano-
scale devices.

BY SAMUDHI MADDUMAGE
 8

GROUP PROTOZOA

CONTENT

 INTRODUCTION TO
PROTOZOA BY
SAMIKSHA

 POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE

EFFECTS BY VINUKI

 APPLICATIONS BY
DULSHA
 9

INTRODUCTION

 Protozoa are a polyphyletic group of single-celled eukaryotes, either

free-living or parasitic, that feed on organic matter such as other
microorganisms or organic debris, bacteria, other protozoa and even
Fungi (Heterotrophic) .Historically, protozoans were regarded as
"one-celled animals".

 Protozoa, a kingdom of bacteria, are diverse species classified into

phyla based on locomotion and morphology, including Amoebozoa,
Ciliophoran, and Apicomplexa.

 Protozoa, ranging from microscopic to visible, possess organelles like

nuclei, mitochondria, and specialized locomotion structures like cilia,
flagella, or pseudopodia.

 Protozoa are crucial in nutrient cycling, feeding on bacteria and

organic matter, and are part of aquatic food webs, serving as prey for
larger organisms.

 Plasmodium and Trypanosoma are parasitic protozoa that cause

diseases in humans and animals, such as malaria and sleeping
sickness.

BY SAMISHA THIGAMBARAM
 10

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF PROTOZOA NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF PROTZOA

 Nutrient cycling  Cause diseases

Ex: Amoebas and Flagellates are im- Ex: Protozoan plasmodium causes
portant decomposers in soil and malaria
aquatic environment.

Increases soil fertility

 Control bacterial population  Food spoilage

They graze on bacteria thus regu- Ex; Food contamination leading

lating bacterial populations to gastrointestinal illness lie diar-
rhea

 Helps in water purification  Contaminating of drinking water

sources
By consuming free bacteria and
small, unsettled floc, protozoa en-
hance the clarity of the final efflu-
ent
 Control harmful insects by per-  Damaging tissues
sisting their bodies
 Ex: Leishmaniasis

 Toxoplasmosis

BY VINUKI
 11

APPLICATION
S
1. Environmental indicators for water and soil
quality assessment.

2. Bioremediation of organic pollutants.

3. Protozoan increase the soil fertility by feeding bacteria

4. Symbiotic digestion aid in animals like termites and ruminants.

.
5. Aquaculture as live food for fish and shrimp larvae.

BY DULSHA NETHSARANI
 12

GROUP ALGAE

CONTENT

 INTRODUCTION TO
ALGAE BY VISHARA

 POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE

EFFECTS BY DISANSA

 APPLICATINS BY OMAYA
 13

Introduction

Algae are a diverse group of eukaryotic, photosynthetic organisms that can be found
in a variety of environments ranging from freshwater and marine systems to damp
soil and even snow belonging to kingdom Protista
They vary widely in their physical characteristics from microscopic single celled
organisms like phytoplankton to large multicellular forms like seaweeds
Characteristics of Algae

 Photosynthetic
 Mostly unicellular
 Lack specialized reproductive structures
 Lack true stems ,roots and leaves
 Reproduction-both sexual and asexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction oc-
curs by spore formation
 Free living although some can form symbiotic relationships with other organ-
isms
Types of Algae
1. Red Algae
 Also called Rhodophyta
 Found in marine as well as freshwater ecosystems.
 The pigments phycocyanin and phycoerythrin are responsible for the
characteristic red colouration of the algae

2. Green Algae
 These are called green algae due to the presence of pigments chloro-
phyll A and B
 Examples-Chlamydomonas, Spirogyra and Chara

3. Brown Algae
 Presence of the red pigment r-phycoerythrin
 Examples- Porphyra, Gracilaria, Gelidium

BY VISHARA SHASTHRI
Positive effects of algae Negative effects of algae
 Environmental Benefits  Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

 Carbon sequestration
 (capturing, removal and per-
manent storage of CO2 from
the earth’s atmosphere.)
 Produce oxygen through pho-
tosynthesis(As autotrophic
organisms ,algae convert wa-
ter and CO2 into sugar.)
 Involves in various biological activi-
ties
 antioxidant activity
 anticancer activity
 antimicrobial activity
 Nutritional value
 Algae are abundant in dietary
fiber
 Vitamins including A,C,D,E,K
and B,and essential minerals
such as iron, calcium, magne-
sium and potassium.
 Microalgae are abundant in
protein.
 (Spirulina, Chlorella)
 Biofuel production
 Algae can be converted into
biofuels like biodiesel and
bioethanol, offering a sus-
tainable alternative to fossil
fuels with lower greenhouse
gas emissions.
BY DISANSA
APPLICATIONS
14
 Rapid increase in the popu-
lation of an algae in an
aquatic system, occur in
freshwater as well as ma-
rine environments.
 (some algal species release
toxic chemicals called
“biotoxins”)
 Eutrophication
 Water bodies become
overly enriched with nutri-
ents such as phosphorus,
nitrogen due to the exces-
sive growth of algae
 Cause diseases
 Allergic reactions, gastroin-
testinal problems, eye irri-
tation, respiratory distress,
and flu-like symptoms.
 Long-term health effects -
Liver damage, neuroden-
generative diseases.
 Economic impact
 Impacts of harmful algal
blooms affect freshwater
and marine aquaculture in-
dustries.
 15

1. Algae can be used as biofertiiezers, which are reservoirs for nutients

2. Blue – Green algae can fix atmospheric nitrogen in specialized heterocyst cells
and play a vital role in plant growth.
3. Even blue green agae is used for treating hihg bood pressure and as a protein
suppliment

4. In biotechnology agae helps to develop prducts and solutions for diverse

sectors, from food and energy to medicine and cosmetics.
 16

GROUP BACTERIA

CONTENT

 INTRODUCTION TO
BACTERIA BY SAMINDINI

 PSISTIVE AND NEGATIVE

EFFECTS BY NIRMANI

 APPLICATIONS BY
ROMENTA
 17

INTRODUCTION

Bacteria are prokaryotic, unicellular, colonial, and filamentous

organisms. Most of them are found in size between 0.5 to 5micro
meters and well adapted to most of the normal habitats.
Peptidoglycan is the main constituent of their cell wall.
According to the amount of peptidoglycan in their cell
wall, they are classified as gram-negative and gram-positive. Most
of their cell walls are surrounded by a sticky layer of
polysaccharides or proteins called capsules.
Moreover, they have flagella for motility. Bacterial
flagellum differs from eukaryotic flagellum as they are not covered
by a plasma membrane and are absent of a 9-2 structure of
microtubules. Bacteria possess diverse nutritional modes-
autotrophs and heterotrophs.
According to metabolic modes they are categorized as
obligate aerobes, obligate anaerobes, facultative anaerobes, etc.
In addition, bacteria are capable of performing nitrogen fixation.
Most of the bacteria are used to reproduce by binary fission or
conjugation as a sexual method.

BY SAMINDINI LAWTON
18

Positive Effects of bacteria
1.Role in Agriculture
 Decay and decomposition
Ex:Bacillus subtilis
Pseudomonas fluorescens
 Soil fertility
(a)Ammonifying bacteria
Ex:Bacillus
Clostridium
Pseudomonas
Streptomyces
(b)Nitrifying bacteria
Ex:Nitrosomonas
Nitrobacter
(c)Nitrogen fixing bacteria
Ex:Rhizobium gallicum
2.Role in Industries
 In dairy industry
(Lactic acid bacteria)
Ex:Streptococcus lactis
Lactococcus lactis
 In vinegar industry
(Acetic acid bacteria)
Ex:Acetobacter aceti
Acetobacter cerevisiae
 In the production of vitamins
Ex:Lactococcus lactis
 In fiber retting
Ex:Aerobacter cloacae
Bacillus brevis
3.Role in Medical Field
 Source of antibiotics
Ex:Bacillus subtilis
 Preparation of serums and
vaccines
Ex:Escherichia coli
Salmonella
Listeria
BY NIRMANI
APPLICATIONS
19
Negative Effects of bacteria
 1.Role in Food Spoilage
Ex: Micrococcus-causes for
vegetable spoilage
 Clostridium-causes for
deterioration of meat
 Enterobacter-can decay
syrup
 Acetobacter-can decay
 Orange
 Streptococcus,Micrococcu
s and Lactobacillus can
cause decay milk and
different milk products.
2.Role in Water Pollution
Water is polluted by different bacteria
makes the water unsuitable for
drinking.Those polluted water are
transmitted by drinking and can cause
diseases like,
 Cholera(Vibrio cholera)
 Typhoid(Salmonella typhi)
 Bacillus dysentery
 (Shigella dysenteriae)
3.Role in Diseases
 Diseases in humans
o Tetanus-Clostridium tetani
o Gonorrhea-Nesseria
 Diseases in animals
o Plague-Yersinia pestis
o Leptospirosis-Leptospira
interrogans
 20

1. The diary industry leverages the natural metabolic abilities of bacteria t convert
milk into a range of dairy products such as cheese & butter

2. The pharmaceutical industry uses bacteria to manufacture products as antibi-

otics, starter culture , probiotics and vaccines.

3. Actinobacteria are used to break down nutrient-rich humate into other com-
pound needed for plant growth as a fertilizer.
4. In various manufacturing plans , bacteria are used to make enzymes, fuels,
solvents , pesticides and ethanol.
5. Bacteria are use to clean up toxin wastes and oil spills

BY ROMENTA
21