AN INTRODUCTION AND

CLASSIFICATION OF
MICROORGANISMS

Muhammad Habib Masood

2017-ag-9939
B.Ed. Second semester
Section (B)
EDU-516
Teaching of Biology
Assignment submitted to
Mam Dr. Maham
Microorganism:
Microorganisms or microbes are microscopic organisms
that exist as unicellular, multicellular, or cell clusters. Microorganisms are
widespread in nature and are beneficial to life, but some can cause serious
harm. They can be divided into six major types: bacteria, archaea, fungi,
protozoa, algae, and viruses.
Microbiology:
Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, such as
bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi and protozoa. This discipline includes
fundamental research on the biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology,
evolution and clinical aspects of microorganisms, including the host response
to these agents.
1- Bacteria:
Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that thrive in diverse
environments. These organisms can live in soil, the ocean and inside the
human gut.

Humans' relationship with bacteria is complex. Sometimes bacteria lend us a

helping hand, such as by curdling milk into yogurt or helping with our
digestion. In other cases, bacteria are destructive, causing diseases like
pneumonia and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
2- Archaea:
Archaea are single-celled microorganisms with structure similar
to bacteria. They are evolutionarily distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes and
form the third domain of life. Archaea are obligate anaerobes living in
environments low in oxygen (e.g., water, soil).
3- Fungi:
Fungi (singular: fungus) are a kingdom of usually multicellular
eukaryotic organisms that are heterotrophs (cannot make their own food)
and have important roles in nutrient cycling in an
ecosystem. Fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually, and they also have
symbiotic associations with plants and bacteria.
4- Protozoa:
 Protozoa (also protozoan, plural protozoans) is an informal
term for a group of single-celled eukaryotes, either free-living or parasitic,
which feed on organic matter such as other microorganisms or organic tissues
and debris.
5- Algae:
Algae are a diverse group of aquatic organisms that have the
ability to conduct photosynthesis. Certain algae are familiar to most people;
for instance, seaweeds (such as kelp or phytoplankton), pond scum or
the algal blooms in lakes

6- Viruses:
A virus is a sub microscopic infectious agent that replicates only
inside the living cells of an organism. Viruses infect all types of life forms,
from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea.