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A microorganism, or microbe, [a] is an organism of microscopic size, which may exist in its single-celled form or as a colony of cells . The possible existence of unseen microbial life was suspected from ancient times, such as in Jain scriptures from sixth century BC India.
- Microorganism Definition
- Types of Microorganisms
- Examples of Microorganisms
- Quiz
- References
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A microorganism is a living thing that is too small to be seen with the naked eye. Examples of microorganisms include bacteria, archaea, algae, protozoa, and microscopic animals such as the dust mite. These microorganisms have been often under-appreciated and under-studied. Indeed, until Anton von Leeuwenhoek invented the microscope, we did not kno...
Bacteria
Bacteria – now sometimes called “eubacteria” or “true bacteria” to differentiate them from archaebacteria – are the type of microorganism you probably hear about the most. This is because they’re the type most likely to make you sick. Bacteria are the cause of most skin infections, and can also cause food poisoning, pneumonia, strep throat, and many other illnesses. However, bacteria are also very helpful to humans. “Good bacteria” in our digestive tracts help us to extract nutrients from our...
Archaea
Archaea, or archaebacteria, were once thought to be part of the bacteria family. However, recent research has shown that they are much different from eubacteria, and may even be more closely related to us than they are to modern bacteria. Archaea can be found in many of the same places as bacteria – in water, in soil, and inside our digestive tracts, where they help us to stay healthy. However, archaebacteria can also be found in some unusual places – many are able to live in environments tha...
Animals
Several types of animals come in microscopic varieties, including:
Streptococcus bacteria
Streptococcus is a group of bacteria that causes illness in humans. As the name suggests, streptococcusbacteria is the cause of strep throat – and can also cause scarlet fever and, rarely, skin and muscle infections. Streptococcus is a good example of the “dangerous” type of microorganism. On this list, we’ll discuss microorganisms that are both dangerous and helpful to humans.
Malaria Parasite
Malaria is the deadliest disease to humans on Earth today. Transmitted from host to host by mosquito bites, it causes serious symptoms such as fever, hemolytic anemia, and convulsions as the Plasmodiumparasite reproduces inside the host’s body. It may surprise you to learn that the Plasmodiumparasite is not a bacteria – rather, it is a eukaryotic microorganism that reproduces sexually and undergoes a multi-stage life cycle. Plasmodiumdemonstrates the diversity of microorganisms – which may be...
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
If Streptococcus is a “bad” bacterium, Lactobacillus is a “good” type of bacterium. Lactobacillusare bacteria that live in the guts of healthy people, and may help us fight off diseases such as the stomach flu. Lactobacillus is found in many yogurts. Some people even take highly concentrated doses of Lactobacillusin the form of “probiotic” pills or capsules in hopes of staying healthy!
1. Which of the following is NOT true of microorganisms? A. All are prokaryotic B. All are eukaryotic C. All are microscopic D.All are harmful pathogens 2. Which of the following is one reason why our understanding of microorganisms has changed a lot in the last 10 years? A. For most of the 19th and 20th centuries, microorganisms could only be stud...
Madigan M; Martinko J, eds. (2006). Brock Biology of Microorganisms(13th ed.). Pearson Education. p. 1096.(n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2017, from http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/archaea/archaea.html“Algae Research”. National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany. 2008. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2008.Learn what a microorganism is, how it differs from other living things, and what types of microorganisms exist. Explore examples of microorganisms that are helpful, harmful, or both to humans and the environment.
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5 days ago · Microbiology, the scientific study of microorganisms, a diverse group of generally minute simple life-forms, including bacteria, algae, and viruses. The field is concerned with the structure, function, and classification of such organisms and with ways of both exploiting and controlling their activities.
Learn what are microbes, the different types of microorganisms, and their importance and examples. Microbes include bacteria, fungi, protists, viruses, and archaea.
The major groups of microorganisms—namely bacteria, archaea, fungi ( yeasts and molds ), algae, protozoa, and viruses—are summarized below. Links to the more detailed articles on each of the major groups are provided.
Nov 9, 2008 · Learn about the diversity, importance and applications of microorganisms, the living things that can only be seen with a microscope. Explore activities and citizen science projects to discover more about bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microbes.
