Microorganisms Biology 11(C)

Viruses compared to Prokaryotes (bacteria) – Contrasting: Viruses need a host to reproduce while prokaryotes reproduce independently by binary fission Viruses can contain either RNA or DNA while prokaryotes contain DNA Viruses do not have the proper “equipment” to carry out transcription/translation while prokaryotes have ribosomes Viruses are not living and prokaryotes are Viruses are much smaller than prokaryotes (bacteriophage infects bacteria) – Similar: Both contain genetic material Based on your posters, we need to review this information….

Learning objectives Define microorganisms Understand how microorganisms can be beneficial to other organisms and ecosystems Understand how microorganisms can be harmful to organisms and ecosystems Microorganisms

Microorganisms – living things that cannot be seen with the naked eye (microscopic) Generally single-celled but can form cell clusters Large diversity Found in almost every habitat – Some are beneficial to organisms and ecosystems – Others are harmful to organisms and ecosystems Microorganisms

Examples of microorganisms All prokaryotes – Bacteria – Archaea Some eukaryotes – Fungi – Protists – Some plants (such as green algae) – Some animals (like mites and plankton) Microorganisms Image by NIAID [Public Domain]

Microorganisms can maintain health of organisms Help digestion (Symbiotic relationship) – Bacteria break down indigestible compounds – Host provides nutrition and a habitat Used in biotechnology – Vaccines – Antibiotics Used to fight bacterial infections – Genetic engineering Maintain Health of Organisms Image by USGOV [Public Domain]

Microorganisms can maintain health of ecosystems Recycle nutrients in carbon cycle – Break down dead organisms and waste into CO 2 for autotrophs to use Maintain Health of Ecosystems AutotrophsAnimals Microorganisms sugar carbon dioxide carbon dioxide detritus & waste

Microorganisms can maintain health of ecosystems Recycle nutrients in nitrogen cycle – Fix (alter) nitrogen in soil to be used by plants – Break down dead organisms and waste into ammonia then nitrates for plants Maintain Health of Ecosystems

Microorganisms can maintain health of ecosystems Create sugars – Photosynthetic cyanobacteria create the majority of sugar for marine ecosystems Image by USGOV [Public Domain] Maintain Health of Ecosystems

Microorganisms can disrupt health of organisms Pathogenic microorganisms cause disease – Pathogenic bacteria – tuberculosis, anthrax – Pathogenic protozoa – malaria – Pathogenic fungi - ringworm Disrupt Health of Organisms Image by USGOV [Public Domain]

Microorganisms can disrupt health of ecosystems Become too numerous – Harmful algal blooms – higher toxin levels Disrupt Health of Ecosystems Image by NASA [Public Domain]

Learning objectives Define microorganisms Understand how microorganisms can be beneficial to organisms and ecosystems Understand how microorganisms can be harmful to organisms and ecosystems Microorganisms

Microorganism chart you should be able to complete after today…. OrganismExamples Beneficial to organisms and ecosystem Disruptive to organisms and ecosystem Types of symbiotic relationships & examples Prokaryotes Protists Fungus