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Chapter - 2: Microorganisms: Friend and Foe
Chapter - 2: Microorganisms: Friend and Foe
MICROORGANISMS : FRIEND
AND FOE
STUDY MATERIAL
1) Microorganisms (Microbes) :-
i) Microorganisms are very small organisms which cannot be seen
with the unaided eye. They can be seen only with a magnifying glass
or microscope.
ii) Microorganisms may be unicellular or multicellular.
iii) Microorganisms may exist alone or in colonies.
iv) Microorganisms are found in all kinds of environment like ice cold
climate, hot springs, deserts, marshy lands etc. They are also found
inside the bodies of other organisms.
2) Types of microorganisms :-
There are four main types of microorganisms. They are :- bacteria,
fungi, algae and protozoans.
Viruses are also considered as microorganisms. They are different
from other microorganisms because they reproduce only in the body of
host organisms like bacteria, plants or animals.
Eg :- Algae – Chlamydomonas, Spirogyra etc.
Fungi – Bread mould, Penicillium, Aspergilles etc.
Protozoans – Amoeba, Paramaecium etc.
Virus
3) Friendly microorganisms (Useful microorganisms) :-
i) Microrganisms like bacteria decomposes organic waste into manure
and increases the fertility of the soil.
ii) Microorganisms help in fixing atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen
compounds in the soil and increases the fertility of the soil.
iii) Microorganisms are used for making curd from milk, for making
cheese, pickles, bread, cakes, pastries, alcohol, wine, vinegar (acetic
acid) etc.
iv) Microorganisms are used for making medicines.
a) Making curd from milk :- The bacterium called Lactobacillus
reproduces in milk and helps to convert milk into curd.
b) Making bread :- The fungus called yeast reproduces in flour dough
and produces carbon dioxide during respiration which makes the dough
soft and helps in making bread, cakes, biscuits, pastries etc.
c) Making alcohol :- The fungus called yeast reproduces in sugar
solution and converts it into alcohol. This process is called fermentation.
d) Making medicines :- Some bacteria and fungi are used to make
medicines which kill or stops the growth of disease causing
microrganisms. Such medicines are called antibiotics. Eg :-
streptomycin, tetracycline, erythromycin etc.
Vaccines are dead or weakened microbes introduced into the body to
produce antibodies. These antibodies protect the body from disease
causing microbes. Diseases like polio, cholera, typhoid, small pox,
hepatitis etc. can be prevented by taking vaccines.
4) Harmful microorganisms :-
i) Some microorganisms cause diseases in plants and animals. Such
disease causing microorganisms are called pathogens.
ii) Some microorganisms grow in food substances and produce toxic
substances and makes the food poisonous. Food poisoning causes
illness and even death.
iii) Some microorganisms spoil materials like clothing, leather, wood etc.
LIGHTNING FIXES
NITROGEN BACTERIA TURN
COMPOUNDS OF
NITROGEN INTO
GASEOUS NITROGEN
NITROGENOUS
WASTE FROM
EXCRETION
AND DEATH
COMPOUNDS OF
NITROGEN IN THE SOIL
Nitrogen cycle :-
The nitrogen in the atmosphere is converted into nitrogen
compounds in the soil by nitrogen fixing bacteria and blue green
algae. Lightning also converted into nitrogen compounds in the soil.
The nitrogen compounds in the soil is used by plants for the synthesis
of proteins and other compounds. Animals feeding on plants get these
proteins and other compounds. When plants and animals die, bacteria
and fungi in the soil converts the nitrogenous waste into nitrogen
compounds in the soil which are again use by plants. Some other
bacteria converts some nitrogen compounds in the soil into nitrogen
gas which goes back into the atmosphere. Hence the nitrogen in the
atmosphere almost remains constant.