Microorganisms: Friend and Foe

Flashcards about microorganisms, their classification, roles, and impact on health and environment.

Microorganisms/Microbes

Organisms which are so small that it is not possible to see them with our own eyes.

Microbiology

The science which deals with the study of microorganism.

Pasteurization

The heating of milk to 70°C for 15 seconds and then storing by sudden chilling process so as to prevent the growth of microbes.

Protozoa

The microorganisms which are mostly pathogens and cause diseases in the humans.

Fungi

The microorganisms which mostly help in the decomposition process.

Virus

A microorganism which acts as a link between living and non-living organism.

Bacteria

The microorganism which is both useful as well as harmful.

Yeast

The single-celled fungi which helps in fermentation.

Rhizobium

The bacteria which helps in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen into the soil.

Soil fertility

Increasing the humus content and nitrogen content of the soil.

Microorganism

The organism which can be seen only with the help of a microscope.

Microbe

The disease causing organism.

Lactobacillus

The bacteria which helps in the formation of curd.

Carrier

The organism which transmits disease from infected organism to a healthy person.

Antibodies

When a disease-carrying microbe enters our body, the body produces to fight the invader.

Antibiotics

The medicines obtained from microorganisms which are used to kill or stop the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.

Vaccine

The dead or weakened microbes which are introduced into the body to produce antibodies against such microbes in the near future.

Pathogen

The disease causing agent (microorganisms).

Fermentation

The process of conversion of sugar into alcohol.

Microorganisms or Microbes

The microscopic, usually single celled, living organisms which cannot be seen with the naked eyes and can only be observed through a microscope.

Microorganisms

Single-celled or multicellular organisms that can survive in varying environments such as ice cold to hot springs and desert to marshy lands.

Major Groups of Microorganisms

Microorganisms classified based on size: Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, Algae.

Five major groups of microorganisms

Algae, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses.

Algae

Aquatic green plants found in puddles, streams, ponds, and oceans; may be single-celled, multi-celled or colonial.

Bacteria

Microscopic single-celled organisms lacking a distinct nucleus; may be shaped like spheres, rods, or spirals.

Useful Actions of Bacteria

Bacteria that promote the formation of curd and cheese, act upon fruit juices to produce vinegar and wines, decompose organic waste, and help in digesting cellulose.

Viruses

Minute microorganisms much smaller than bacteria that live and grow only inside living cells of plants and animals.

Fungi

Non-green plants that do not contain chlorophyll and are heterotrophic; may be parasitic and saprophytic.

Protozoa

Primitive and simplest animals; unicellular animals found in stagnant water as well as in salt water, on decaying leaves, in the soil.

Antibiotics

Medicines obtained from microorganisms which either kill or prevent the growth of disease-causing microorganisms.

Vaccine

A preparation of modified viruses or bacteria that is introduced in a healthy body to induce the specific antibody reaction that produces immunity against a particular disease.

Vectors

Organisms which are the carriers of parasites and transmit them from one host to another.

Food Poisoning

Occurs when people or animals consume food contaminated with harmful bacteria, bacterial toxins, or harmful chemicals.

Food Preservation

The science of treating food so that it retains its color, flavor, nutritive value, and texture over a period of time.

Fixing of Nitrogen

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates and nitrites which can be taken up and used to make the required molecules.

Vectors (Carriers of diseases)

Vectors are the organisms (animal, fungus) which are the carriers of parasites and transmit them from one host to another. Insects such as housefly, ticks and mites often act as vectors.