Name: _____________________ Date:__________

Achievement standard Science 90950 (Version 3): Investigate

biological ideas relating to interactions between humans and micro-
organisms
Resource reference: Science 1.11
Resource title: Don’t bug me!
Credits: 4
This standard involves investigating biological ideas relating to how humans use and
are affected by micro-organisms.
Achievement Achievement with Merit Achievement with
Excellence
Investigate biological ideas Investigate, in depth, Investigate,
relating to interactions biological ideas relating to comprehensively, biological
between humans and micro- interactions between humans ideas relating to interactions
organisms. and micro-organisms. between humans and micro-
organisms.

Student instructions

Introduction
These assessment activities require you to investigate comprehensively how
humans use and are affected by micro-organisms.
You will focus on how micro-organisms can be used for purposes that are useful to
humans. You will focus on how the uses of the micro-organism exploit the life
processes and requirements of the micro-organism.

Conditions
You will have 4 hours to complete this task (1 hour of class time for research: 3
hours for writing). Once you have completed your research (you can work on this at
home as well as your one hour class time before you start your write-up). You will
only be allowed to use this material that you have researched, as well as your
Scipad, powerpoints used in class and notes from class to use for writing your
assessment. Make sure you bring what you need into class.
You MUST work individually in class to summarise your findings and link these to
biological ideas.
Your writing must be done on a Google Doc. Everything that you need will be shared
with you on Google Classroom.
Any research must be documented on the Research Google Doc. This includes
website links, Youtube links etc. Any material that you have used or referred to in
your write-up must be copy and pasted into this Doc with the relevant website. You
must also refer to Scipad pages, powerpoints and notes you have used. Your
research must be traceable.

Task 1: Research
1. Select TWO of the more common uses for microorganisms from the list below
and research the biological ideas on how each of the selected micro-
organisms can be exploited.
a. Yeast for Bread making
b. Bacteria for making yoghurt
c. Clostridium botulinum or Norovirus
d. Food preservation & food borne illness

Possible websites for information include:

http://www.milk.co.uk/page.aspx?intPageID=81
http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/fungi/yeast-info.htm

2. Research use of the microorganism that can be exploited in New Zealand for
useful purposes and find out how humans exploit the life processes of micro-
organisms for our own benefit.
3. Summarise the information from the above research in Table 1

Task 2: The report.

Use the information from Table 1 to write an explanation of:
1 The links between two microorganisms and their uses (purposes)
2 The life processes that allow human’s to use these microorganisms.
3 The impacts of this knowledge on human’s personal actions or everyday life.
You must write about two different microorganisms.

Further Guidance

Worksheet
Head each sheet with your name, the name of the chosen microorganisms and its use.
For each use:
 describe the relevant life processes of the microorganism (MRS C GREN)
 explain how and why each microorganism is used in producing the product
 explain specific life processes that are exploited
 explain what environmental factors affect each life process.
The information you record should enable you to:
 make links between the specific life processes of the microorganism (e.g. movement,
respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion, nutrition) and how they influence
the end product
 make links between the interactions of human’s with microorganisms and how this
knowledge has impacted personal actions or everyday life.

Processing information
Processing your information usually involves:
 selecting relevant information (photocopying, printing, or notes)
 summarising the relevant information by highlighting text, writing notes, and circling
useful diagrams/illustrations
 organising your information
 providing references for all your sources, e.g. URL(s) or book titles and authors.
Table 1 – Microorganisms and their Use (Planning for your report)
Description of both of your
chosen microorganisms and
process or product/disease
– include name of the microbe,
the product produced (or
disease) and the basic steps
involved in the process that
leads to the product or the
development of the disease
A description and/or diagram
of the life processes of the
microorganism(s) (MRS C
GREN)
An explanation of how the An explanation linking how
life processes used to the life process is exploited
produce the to produce the
product/resulted in the product/resulted in disease
disease What impact his knowledge
has had on society