Microorganisms have an essential role in life processes and cycles on Earth. What are microorganisms?

Microorganisms Unicellular Prokaryotic “Microbes” Typically need a microscope to view Make up the largest number or organisms on this planet

Here’s the interesting part… Microbes vary depending on their kind Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, Archaea, Viruses* Autotrophic vs. Heterotrophic Sexual vs. Asexual Reproduction (Binary fission/Conjugation)

Where do they live? They exist in a variety of habitats Deep in ocean Hot springs Deep inside rock’s within the Earth Viruses live in hosts

Why do we need microorganisms? Microorganisms are essential for nutrient recycling (the food web) Why? The nitrogen cycle requires microorganisms to ‘fix nitrogen’ Others? Brewing, Baking, Fermentation (YEAST) Biotechnology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Molecular biology Warfare

Do microorganisms hurt humans? Microorganisms are the cause of many infectious diseases. The organisms involved include… Bacteria (plague, tuberculosis and anthrax) Protozoa (malaria, sleeping sickness and toxoplasmosis) Fungi (ringworm, candidiasis or histoplasmosis) Viruses (influenza, yellow fever or AIDS)*

Compare & Contrast Viruses Particles of nucleic acid, protein and possibly lipids “Grey area” of living vs. nonliving Depends on host cells to function Infect host cells to reproduce, then kills that cell and goes to infect others Can be dormant in host for long periods of time Bacteria Reproduce by dividing Necessary for life in many ways Food/digestion Some cause infections Some produce antibiotics

Different Shapes of Bacteria Bacilli Cocci Spirilla

Bacteria have flagella, glide, or do not move

How do bacteria get energy? Autotrophs Photosynthetic autotrophs - cyanobacteria Chemosynthetic autotrophs - hydrothermal vents, energy Heterotrophs Photoheterotrophs sun = energy organic compounds = nutrition

Benefits of Viruses Viruses can transfer genetic material between different species of host so they can be used in genetic engineering. Viruses also carry out natural "genetic engineering": a virus may incorporate some genetic material from its host as it is replicating, and transfer this genetic information to a new host, even to a host unrelated to the previous host. May lead to evolutionary change

Benefits of Sanitation Hygiene helps avoid infection or food spoiling by eliminating microorganisms from the surroundings. Sterilization has led to the elimination of transferring disease by certain ways Example: Hypodermic needles Cooking techniques

What else helps? Clean water supplies Medicine (Antibiotics) Vaccines Others?

Discussion How do science and technology affect the quality of our lives related to bacteria and viruses?