Chapter 2.

Microorganisms: friend and foe

Textbook Exercise (Write in note book)
Q1 Fill in the blanks:

a) Microorganisms can be seen with the help of a microscope.

b) Blue green algae fix atmospheric nitrogen directly from air to enhance
fertility of soil.

c) Alcohol is produced with the help of yeast.

d) Cholera is caused by bacteria.

Q2 Tick the correct answer:

a) Yeast is used in the production of

Ans (ii) Alcohol

b) The following is an antibiotic

Ans (ii) Streptomycin

c) Carrier of malaria-causing protozoan is

Ans (i) Female Anopheles mosquito

d) The most common carrier of communicable diseases is

Ans (ii) Housefly

e) The bread or idli dough rises because of

Ans (iii) Growth of yeast cells

f) The process of conversion of sugar into alcohol is called

Ans (iii) fermentation

[GURUKUL GANDHINAGAR] Page 1

Q3 Match the organisms in Column A with their action in Column B.
A B

1) Bacteria e) Causing Cholera

2) Rhizobium a) Fixing nitrogen
3) Lactobacillus b) setting of curd
4) Yeast c) Baking of bread
5) A protozoan d) Causing malaria
6) A virus f) Causing AIDS
Q4 Can microorganisms be seen with naked eyes? If not, how can they be
seen.

Ans: No, microorganisms cannot be seen with naked eyes. They can be
seen with the help of a microscope.

Q5 What are the major groups of microorganisms?

Ans: The major groups of microorganisms are:

a) Bacteria b) Fungi c) Algae d) Protozoa

Viruses are also considered as microorganisms.

Q6 Name the microorganisms which can fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil.

Ans: Bacteria Rhizobium and blue green algae can fix atmospheric nitrogen
in soil.

Q7 Write 10 lines on the usefulness of microorganisms in our lives.

Ans: Microorganisms are useful for us in the following ways:

1. They help in making curd and cheese.

2. They help in manufacturing of alcohol.
3. Bakery fermentation is also carried out with the help of
microorganisms.
4. They act as cleaning agent and decompose the waste products into
manures.
[GURUKUL GANDHINAGAR] Page 2
 5. They help in fixing the atmospheric nitrogen for the use of plants.

6. They help in various metabolic activities in our body.

7. They are used in making medicines and vaccines.

8. Some nutrient rich algae are used as food supplements.

9. They are used as food preservatives.

10. They are used in processing of tea, coffee and tobacco. Q8 Write a
short paragraph on the harms caused by microorganisms.

Ans: Microorganisms are harmful as well. They cause a lot of diseases as

well as spoil food.

Pathogens cause many diseases in human beings. Such as: Common cold,
Tuberculosis, Malaria, Typhoid, Ringworm and Chicken pox etc. Microbes
also cause many diseases in animals. Anthrax is a serious disease caused in
grazing animals. Rinderpest, Foot and mouth disease and fin rot are
common diseases in animals. They also cause many diseases in plants such
as, Early blight, Citrus canker, Rust of wheat and Apple scab.

They contaminate the food items by releasing chemical substances. They

also spoil cloths and leather products.

Q9 What are antibiotics? What precautions must be taken while taking

antibiotics?

Ans: The medicines which kill or stop the growth of microorganisms in our
body are known as antibiotics. They are prepared from bacteria and fungi.
Penicillin is the first antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming. Some
examples of antibiotics are: Streptomycin, Tetracycline and Arythromycin.

Precautions: Antibiotics should only be taken with the advice of a qualified

doctor, when needed. Otherwise they can be harmful or less effective.

[GURUKUL GANDHINAGAR] Page 3