Name:________________________ Date:___________

Microorganisms
Microorganisms or microbes are living things that are so small they can only be seen
using a microscope. Microorganisms can be found everywhere and can be helpful and
harmful. Most of the microorganisms that you would find in your local pond would be
harmless to humans but could be harmful to other animals.
Bacteria
Bacteria are a type of microbe that can be helpful or harmful. The same bacteria that can
cause disease can also work to make sure a human is healthy.
Bacteria are the second smallest living things on Earth with only viruses being smaller.
They are very small organisms that usually consist of only a single cell. They do not have
chlorophyll that is found in plants which allows for the production of food. If one million
of the tiny bacteria were laid end-to-end, they would only measure about two inches.
There are helpful bacteria and harmful bacteria. Some can improve human life, but others
can cause diseases.
Helpful bacteria can assist with the digestion of food. The bacteria help break down some
of the foods the animals eat. In humans, a bacteria called E. coli occurs in the digestive
system breaking down many kinds of foods.
Bacteria is also part of the production of many foods eaten by people. Bacteria causes
milk to become sour which helps in the production of buttermilk, cottage cheese, and
yogurt.
Bacteria are also and most widely known for the diseases it causes. Fruits or vegetables
become discolored from bacteria. Bacteria can also harm organisms by releasing
chemicals that are poisonous to plants and animals. One type is responsible for a disease
known as tetanus, which can paralyze the muscles of a person. There are also harmful
bacteria living on the skin but are not dangerous unless they enter the bloodstream
through a cut in the skin. If E. coli, though helpful with digestion, enters the bloodstream
it can cause cramping, diarrhea, and maybe even death.

Algae
Algae are microorganisms that are found all over the world. Algae are very important because it
makes up much of Earth’s oxygen, which humans and other animals need to breathe. Some
algae, such as seaweed, look like plants. However, algae are actually neither plants nor animals.
Instead, they belong to a group of living things called protists. There are about 27,000 different
species, or types, of algae. Algae are most common in water, such as oceans, rivers, lakes,
streams, ponds, and marshes. Some species live in soil or on leaves, wood, and stones. Algae
even grow on animals such as turtles. Algae can be green, blue, red, or brown and they vary
greatly in size. Some species are so small that they can only be seen through a microscope. Other
species can reach 200 feet in length.
Like plants, algae make their own food through a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis
also releases oxygen into the air. In addition to making oxygen, algae are important for other
reasons. Water animals such as whales, seals, fish, octopuses, and starfish depend on algae for
food.
Viruses
Have you ever had a cold? That cough and runny nose are caused by one villain:
a virus. Viruses come in many different shapes, and they are so tiny that they can
only be seen with a very powerful microscope. Viruses like the flu, the common
cold, COVID-19, and many other diseases are caused by viruses. But what is a
virus? Do you think viruses are living?
The answer is actually “no.” A virus is essentially DNA or RNA surrounded by a
coat of protein. It is not made of a cell, and cannot maintain a stable internal
environment. Remember that a cell is the basic unit of living organisms. So if a
virus is not made of at least one cell, can it be living? Viruses also cannot
reproduce on their own—they need to infect a host cell to reproduce. So a virus
is very different from any of the organisms that fall into the three domains of
life.
Though viruses are not considered living, they share two important traits with living organisms.
They have genetic material like all cells do (though they are not made of cells), and they can
evolve. The genetic material of a virus can change, altering the traits of the virus.

Fungi and Mold

If you enjoy biting into a nice, fluffy piece of bread, you can thank the yeast that
helped the bread rise. Yes, yeast is a fungus. If you like mushrooms on your pizza or in
your salad, you are eating fungi, too. Pesticides can be made to control insects and
detergents can be made using fungi. It makes sense that fungi can do things without
harming Earth. Fungi turn dead plant materials into rich soil. Because there are so many
uses of fungi that are helpful, don’t forget that some fungi are harmful. There are certain
fungi that will make us sick or give us skin reactions, like an athlete’s foot.
Mold is another microorganism that can be helpful AND harmful. Mold can be used to
control nasty infections with antibiotics. You may have heard of the most common
antibiotic: penicillin. Dr. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 completely by
accident. He left his science experiment out on the counter instead of cleaning up after
himself. When he came back from his vacation, a strange bluish fungus was growing on
it. Penicillin had been discovered. Mold can also be harmful. Mold can cause food to
spoil.

Answer the following questions based on the reading passage.

Worksheet:
1. What are the 5 types of microorganisms?
2. What do bacteria need to survive?
3. Identify two examples of bacteria.
4. Where can algae be found?
5. What is a virus? Give an example.
6. What is an example of fungi?
7. How is mold useful?