Zoology Myths: Debunking Most Common

Misconceptions about Microbes

April Joy Pueyo

Zoo 1- 450

Gretchelle Anne E. Ponsaran

January 07, 2022

 Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to identify the microbial myths and debunk the

misconceptions about microbes. Misconception is defined as the interpretation of

concepts in an unacceptable statement. The former misconceptions are very strong and

firm, often difficult to be dispelled in formal learning. The person’s poorly handled

misconceptions can disrupt their thinking in accepting the subsequent knowledge

resulting in less optimal learning. Given the various conceptual barriers, microorganism

education will be difficult in the next years to instill in young people a scientific and

balanced understanding of these group of creatures that play such an important part in life

on Earth. Over the last few decades, microorganisms are regarded as hazardous, disease-

causing, and living in filthy settings, according to one prevalent conceptual model

observed. With these, microbes suffer from negative public relations. This paper will

emphasize and explain the misconceptions about microbes

 Introduction

The emphasis and focus of this paper is to discuss and debunk the most common

misconceptions about microbes. In order to correct these common misconceptions,

truthful information that can displace false science concepts are necessary for all of us in

a way that it can help in our daily living particularly on guarding our health.

Microbes are microscopic living organisms that can be found all over the world

but are too small to be seen with the human eye. They can be found in the water, the land,

and the air. Millions of these microbes, also known as microorganisms, live in the human

body. Some organisms make us sick, while others are necessary for our survival.

Bacteria, viruses, and fungus are the most frequent types, while Protozoa, are another

type of microorganism.

Moreover, microbes operate the basic drug cycles that are necessary for the plants'

supply of nutrients via the reaction of organic matter in soil. Microorganisms can

therefore, be seen as suppliers of so-called "ecosystem services", which are fundamental

to the environment and to human life and activity (Johansen, 2021). The success of

introduced microorganisms can be deeply influenced by diverse microorganisms.

 Since humans has limited adequate knowledge about microbes, there is a

widespread misperception regarding it. Despite common misconceptions, most microbes

are more helpful than harmful to humans and the planet. Recent scientific studies

revealed the importance of microbes (Cowan, 2016).

The term "misconception" refers to a disagreement on how to perceive an idea, or

in other words, interpreting a notion in a way that differs from what experts has said and

what is widely accepted. A lot of misconceptions emerged about microbes such as its

characteristics, structure, classification, form and shape, reproduction, and classification.

Knowing the truth about its origins may be beneficial to students and future researchers.
 Common Misconceptions about Microbes

Microbes are All Bad

Microorganisms are a wide group of small, basic life forms that cannot be seen

with the naked eye and must be examined under a microscope. Bacteria has a significant

impact on all other types of life. Due to the general diseases caused by a tiny minority of

bacteria, this small size hides from humans, causing misunderstanding and dread (The

American Biology Teacher, 2020). The most widespread myth about germs in general,

"microbes are harmful". This instills irrational anxiety and leads to excessive cleaning,

sterilization, and biocide use. In the constructed environment, there are clearly harmful

bacteria to be found. Indoors, many human infections are transmitted. Similarly, bacteria

that thrive in wet, nutrient-rich habitats developed inside can cause allergic reactions and

other negative consequences.

Microbes, specifically bacteria, are commonly associated with sickness in

humans. However, the vast majority of bacteria found in the built environment are,

nevertheless, most likely harmless to human health. Humans are expected to benefit from
some of the microorganisms found in the built environment. Microorganisms that are

naturally beneficial (such as those that digest hazardous substances) and those that

humans use as tools are both considered useful microbes (such as those used for cleaning,

art remediation, or to attack pathogens).

While the benefits of microbial communities are well known to scientists, less is

known about whether non-scientists recognize the benefits of microorganisms.

Conversely, microorganisms are universally recognized as etiological agents of many

human infectious diseases as well as diseases of pets, livestock, crops, and wildlife.

Public knowledge and attitudes toward microbiology are derived primarily from the

media (Hawkings et al., 2007), rather than from direct communication by scientists.

The “5 Second Rule”

There is a limited basic knowledge about microbes and their relationship to

human disease. As a result, eating spilled food was probably not considered forbidden

before coming to this realization. Bacteria cannot be seen by a naked eye, and humans

assumed that washing away any visible dirt would solve the problem.

According to Sheldon et al., (2018), if a food is removed quickly enough from a

polluted surface, the germs on the surface will not have enough time to transfer, or

"jump," onto the meal. If food intended for human consumption is thrown onto dirty

surfaces, it is customary practice in the food production and service industries to throw it

away. However, there is a commonly held belief that if food is cleaned up quickly

enough off a dirty surface, it is "safe" to consume.

 There is conclusive evidence that bacteria are spread practically instantly when

food comes into contact with a contaminated surface. Many circumstances, however,

influence the related risk of consuming food that has come into contact with a surface.

This includes, but are not limited to, the amount or type of microorganisms present, the

presence of pathogenic or nonpathogenic organisms, the composition/characteristics of

the contact and microbe surfaces (such as hydrophobicity) and the consumer's overall

health status.

Bacteria are Not Viruses

A bacterium differs from a virus in its structure and in the way it inhabits a host.

Both viruses and bacteria can cause disease. However, not all type of viruses cause

disease in humans, and not all bacteria cause disease.

Bacteria and viruses are too small to be seen with the human eye, but they can

cause comparable symptoms and spread in similar ways. A bacterium is a single cell that

is both simple and complicated. It is capable of surviving both within and outside the

body. Bacteria, for the most part, aren't dangerous. In truth, many bacteria live on and

inside our bodies, particularly in the stomach, where they aid digestion. Viruses are

smaller than cells and do not exist in the same way that cells do. They require a host, such

as a human or animal, to multiply, unlike bacteria. Infections are caused by viruses

invading and proliferating within the healthy cells of the host.

Bacteria produce bacterial infections, and viruses cause viral illnesses, as their

names suggest. It's crucial to determine whether an infection is caused by bacteria or

viruses because the treatments are different. Whooping cough, strep throat, ear infections,

and urinary tract infections are examples of bacterial illnesses (UTI). Colds, flu, most

coughs and bronchitis, chickenpox, and HIV/AIDS are all viral illnesses. Although viral

and bacterial illnesses often have similar symptoms, determining the origin of an

infection can be challenging.

This is important to understand, because bacterial and viral infections must be

treated differently. Antibiotics may only be prescribed for serious bacterial infections,

however, due to the rising problem of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics are ineffective

against viral infections. Misusing antibiotics to treat viral infections contributes to the

problem of antibiotic resistance.

The Biggest Microbial Health Concern in Buildings is “Mold”

In developed areas of the world, humans are born and spend the vast majority of

their lives indoors, which may limit the diversity of microorganisms to which they are

exposed. A building's envelope (foundation, walls, windows, and roofs) separates the

indoor and outdoor environments, thus reducing exposure to microorganisms that thrive

outdoors and potentially increasing exposure to organisms that thrive indoors.

Mold is a "marker" connected with dampness and the issues produced by other

microorganisms, but it is still unknown whether it causes these consequences or is simply

a "marker" associated with dampness and the problems caused by other microbes

(chemicals or insects.). The causal link between bacteria in buildings and human health

consequences in those structures is currently poorly understood. The majority of attention

on microbial-related health hazards in buildings is directed to "mold" among both the

general public and building scientists. Mold is easily visible and, in many cases, has a

distinct odor. Mold can quickly grow after a water leak or floods. Visible moisture and or

mold have been linked to a variety of detrimental health effects, including asthma,

coughing, allergies, respiratory infections, and even dermatitis (Adams et al., 2015).

Therefore, while specific fungal species may be harmful, other microorganisms

such as bacteria, viruses, and archaea also can play an important role.

a.) Mold, Fungi, or Yeast?

Each of these words refers to a unique group of creatures, despite the fact that

they are sometimes used interchangeably. Mold, yeast, and mushrooms are all classified

as "fungi" in the Eumycota group of related organisms. Mold refers to a type of fungus

that grows in multicellular filaments. Molds arise from a variety of fungal divisions;

therefore, this is a practical category rather than a biological one. They do not have any

ancestors in common, although they do have functional commonalities. Another useful

difference is "yeast," which refers to single-celled fungus with certain properties. In

everyday speech, yeast refers to baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is the

fermenter of beer, wine, and bread.

 Results and Discussion

This research aimed to discuss the common microbial misconceptions and debunking its

truthfulness using the true scientific explanation behind it. Misconceptions are stable and

resistant barriers to acquiring scientific perspectives. These misconceptions give rise to a great

deal of debate over issues such as the view of humans about microbes.

The literature cited on this research is based on credible sources with high scientific

reputation.

The discussions on this research have corrected common microbial

misconceptions as the research progresses. …..

This research has proven that knowledge is power and by debunking common

misconceptions about microbes, we are guided accordingly in our daily living in the aim of

safeguarding our health and the way we perceive microbes.

 Microorganisms are diverse, minute, simple life-forms that generally cannot be seen by

the naked eye and require the use of a microscope to be visualized. They have a great impact on

all other life-forms. Their tiny size conceals them from us, engendering misunderstanding and

fear due to the diseases caused by only a tiny minority of them.

As this paper reach its conclusion to discuss and focus on the FDA- approved drugs yet it

is just the starting line to conquer the challenge to mobilize effort to harness the power of venom

and this paper; FDA-approved drugs are just a part of intoxicating science of venom. Let’s step

up to nature’s challenge and ride the venom train of scientific wonder.

With millions of venom poisons yet to discover in nature, it appears that we may be

seeing more and more pharmaceuticals especially in other clinical applications inspired by

nature's potent venoms in our medicine cabinets. So, where could they have come from?
References

Adams R.I, Bateman A.C, Bik H.M, Meadow J.F. Microbiota of the indoor environment:

A meta-analysis. Microbiome. 2015;3(49) Retrieved from:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK458822/

Cowan, A.M (2016). Misunderstood Microbes. Retrieved from

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/misunderstood-microbes/
Dawson, P., Sheldon, B. (2018). Let’s dig into the science and history of this urban myth.

The Science Behind The Five-Second Rule. Retrieved from:

https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/the-science-behind-the-five-second-rule/

Hawkings, N.J., Wood, F. & Butler, C.C. (2007). Public attitudes towards bacterial

resistance: a qualitative study. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 59, 1155

1160.

Johansen, A (2021). Functions of Microorganism. Microorganisms In The Environment

Retrieved from: https://envs.au.dk/en/research-areas/microorganisms-in-the

environment/the-functions-of-microorganisms

The American Biology Teacher (2020). Microbe Art Can Educate & Correct

Misconceptions about Microorganisms. 82 (3): 162–169. Retrieved from:

https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2020.82.3.162