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5 The impact of
Microorganisms on Life
Microorganism
Tiny living things that only can be seen
using microscope
Classified based on their characteristics
(appearance, shape, size, method of
reproduction, nutrition and habitat)
Microorganism
Classified into 5 groups:
• Viruses – smallest microorganisms, not a living
cell and must use living cells to reproduce.
(E.g. HIV, Influenza virus etc.)
• Bacteria – unicellular organisms, have cell
wall, form spores under unfavourable condition
and have 3 common shape spherical, rod-
shaped and spiral. (E.g. Lactobacillus sp.,
Straphyloccous sp. etc.)
Microorganism
• Protozoa – unicellular organism, have
plasma membrane and can carry out
living processes. (E.g. Amoeba sp.,
Paramecium sp. etc.)
• Algae – have chlorophyl and
chloroplast, can undergoes
photosynthesis process. (E.g.
Spirogyra sp.)
Microorganism
• Fungi – heterotrophic microorganisms,
feeds by secreting enzymes that break
down the surrounding organic material
into simple molecule before absorb
them. (E.g. Mucor sp., yeast etc.)
The effects of abiotic components
on the activity of microorganisms
What are abiotic factors?
How the abiotic factors effects the
activity of microorganisms?
The role of useful microorganisms in
the ecosystem
Decomposition The nitrogen
cycle
Roles of
microorganisms
in ecosystem
Digesting Digesting
animal’s food human’s food
The harmful microorganisms
Microorganisms that cause diseases are
called pathogens
Pathogens are classified as parasites or
saprophytes
They cause diseases in two ways:
The use of
Production of microorganisms
biodegradable plastic Cleaning of oil spills
in
(bioplastic) biotechnology