Chapter 7

Life under a Microscope

Microorganism They are the living organisms that cannot be seen with unaided eye are
called microorganisms.
Classification of Microorganisms Microbes are broadly of five types bacteria, fungi,
protozoa, algae, and viruses.
Bacteria
Single-celled organisms
Found in wide range of habitats ranging from glaciers to deserts and hot springs
For example curd bacteria (Lactobacillus)
Can be of various shapes cocci (spherical), bacilli (rod like), and spirilla (spiral
like)
They grow in high temperature (25 to 40 deg. C) and high moisture conditions.
Presence and amount of oxygen and light also effects their growth.
Fungi
Multicellular, heterotrophic organisms
Lack chlorophyll and are generally found in colonies
For example Penicillium, Aspergillus
Fungi are of three types thread like, sac like, and club like.
Thread like fungi - they grow in the form of fine threads to form a cottony mass on
the surface.
Club fungi e.g. Mushroom. They have a stalk and a cap
Sac fungi they range in size from a single celled morels to large yeast.
Protozoa
Unicellular or multicellular microorganisms
Usually found in water
Amoeba is irregularly shaped. It changes its shape regularly. It moves with the help of
pseudopodia (false foot).
Paramecium is slipper shaped. It is covered with cilia that help in its locomotion.
Euglena has a flagellum that helps in its locomotion.
There are certain protozoa that cause diseases like Plasmodium, Giardia, etc.
Algae
Unicellular or multicellular autotrophic organisms
Are of three types green algae, brown algae, and red algae depending upon the
type of pigment present in them.
Green algae contain chlorophyll pigment and carry out photosynthesis. They can be
single celled as in Chlamydomonas, filamentous as in Spirogyra, and colonial as in
Volvox.



Brown algae are mostly marine. Laminaria, commonly known as kelp is rich in
minerals, therefore widely used to fertilize soil and feed livestock. Algin used to
prepare ice creams is also obtained from kelps.
Red algae like Chondrus are used in the preparation of variety of food items. Agar is
obtained from red algae.

Viruses
Ultramicroscopic organisms with a simple atucture of DNA surrounded by protein
sheeth.
Require cells of host organisms to reproduce
For example Influenza virus, polio virus

Importance of Microorganisms
In Food Industry
1. Lactobacillus bacteria promote the conversion of milk into curd.
2. Yeast is used in preparation of breads, pastries, and cakes.
In Beverage Industry
1. Yeast is used for commercial production of alcohol, wine, and vinegar
(acetic acid).
2. Yeast acts on sugar and converts into alcohol by the process of
fermentation.
In Medicine Production
1. Medicines produced by certain microorganisms to kill or stop the growth of
other disease-causing microorganisms are called antibiotics.
2. Antibiotics are obtained from bacteria and fungi.
3. Commonly used antibiotics are streptomycin, tetracycline, and
erythromycin.
In Vaccine Production
1. Protection of the body from the attack of various disease-causing
microorganisms through vaccines is known as vaccination.
2. Vaccine includes dead or weakened microbes that trigger the production of
antibodies in the body.
3. These antibodies help in preventing attack from disease-causing
microorganisms.
4. Vaccination helps in controlling diseases such as cholera, polio, small pox,
hepatitis, etc.
In Increasing Soil Fertility
1. Blue green algae and Rhizobium bacteria are called biological nitrogen fixers.
2. They fix atmospheric free nitrogen to enhance soil fertility.
In Cleaning the Environment
1. Microorganisms help in converting dead azonic waste of plants and animals
into simple substances by the process of decomposition.




Harmful Microorganisms Disease-causing microorganisms are called pathogens.
Diseases in Humans Caused by Microorganisms
1. Diseases caused by microorganisms that spread from an infected person to a
healthy person through air, water, or food are called communicable
diseases.
2. For example cholera, chicken pox, and tuberculosis
3. The organisms that transmit diseases from one place to the other are called
carriers.
Example of Carriers
1. Housefly spreads diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
2. Female Anopheles mosquito spreads malarial parasites.
3. Female Aedes mosquito spreads dengue virus.
Examples of Human Diseases Caused by Bacteria
1. Tuberculosis
2. Cholera
3. Typhoid
Examples of Human Diseases Caused by Virus
1. Measles
2. Chicken pox
3. Polio
4. Hepatitis-B
Examples of Human Diseases Caused by Protozoa
1. Malaria
2. African sleeping sickness
Diseases in Animals Caused by Microorganisms
1. Anthrax caused by anthrax bacteria
2. Foot and mouth disease in cattle caused by virus
Diseases in Plants Caused by Microorganisms
1. Citrus canker caused by bacteria
2. Rust of wheat caused by fungi
3. Yellow mosaic of Bhindi caused by virus


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