SMILE

(SIMPLIFIED MODULE INTENDED FOR LEARNING ENCOUNTERS)

Learner’s Packet
Name: _________________________________________ _________________________

Section: ___________________________ Date: __________________________

BIOTECHNOLOGY
(Q2_LP4)

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR LEARNERS:

Microorganisms are minute living things unseen by the naked eye. They are a diverse
and unique life form. They are found living in soil, water, food, animal intestines, as well as in
extreme settings such as glaciers, hot springs, and deep-sea thermal vents.
Microorganisms serve as the backbone of several important biotechnological
applications. They are like miniature chemical factories that produce products such as amino
acids, medicines, enzymes, and food additives, thus serving as the building blocks for
biotechnology.

LEARNING COMPETENCY WITH CODE:

MELC: Identify commonly used microbes used in biotechnology (No code available)

After going through this learning packet, you are expected to:

a) Name commonly-used microbes in biotechnology.

b) Describe the distinguishing characteristics of microbes.
c) Identify the uses of microorganisms in biotechnology.
d) Determine the important role of microorganisms in the field of biotechnology.

ACTIVITIES/ EXERCISES:

Activity 1. Picture Analysis

Source: Google images

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 Questions:
1. How many organisms do you see in the picture? _______________________
2. Are there organisms not seen in the picture? __________________________
3. What do you think are they? _______________________________________

Activity 2. What are microbes?

Microorganisms are living things that must be greatly magnified to be seen. The
study of microorganisms is called microbiology, micro – very small, bio – living, logy–
study.
Answer the following items. TRUE or FALSE
1. Microorganisms come in different shape and sizes. ________
2. Microbes are non-living organisms. ________
3. All microorganisms are harmful. ________
4. They are found everywhere. ________
5. Microorganisms are so small we need a microscope
to see them. ________

Activity 3. Identifying Microorganisms

Antoine Van Leeuwenhoek created the first-ever microscope in 1676. He used
it to examine various items around his home and termed the living creatures
“animalcules” (which resembles the bacteria today).
History tells us that these microorganisms evolved long before the first plant
and animals appeared. With the advances in DNA sequencing techniques, new
species of microbes are being discovered at a faster rate. Current estimates suggest
there could be at least one billion or more different species of microbes inhabiting the
Earth. Despite their diversity, all these microorganisms are generally grouped into Five
Major Types namely, BACTERIA, VIRUSES, ARCHAE, FUNGI, and PROTISTS.

Activity 3.1 Do You Know Me

Take a look at the pictures below. Name the 5 groups of microorganisms by

matching the picture with their correct name. Write your answer in the space provided.

1. _________ 2. __________ 3. __________ 4. _________ 5. ________

Activity 3.2 Microbe Mania

Given the riddle below, identify the name of the microorganism to which they belong.

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 My name is Influenza but my My name is Penicillium and
My name is Lactobacillus.
friends call me the ‘flu’. I’m you’ll find me growing on old
People call me ‘friendly’
very generous; I like to give oranges, or stale bread. I
because I change milk into
people headaches and make them look moldy.
yogurt! When you eat me in
fever. I easily spread from Humans use me to make an
yogurt I live in your guts and
person to person through antibiotic known as Penicillin
help you digest other food.
coughing and sneezing. which can make them better
What am I?
What am I? if they have a bacterial
Lactobacillus is a: infection! What am I?
Influenza is a:
______________ Penicillium is a:
_______________
_____________

My name is Plasmodium
falciparum. I am the most
dreaded ‘cause I’m the
deadliest parasite in human.
I am the parasite that
causes malaria.
What am I?
My name is thermophiles. I
love living in areas with very
high temperature where
humans couldn’t possible
survive.
What am I?

Thermophile is a:
Plasmodium is a:
________________
_______________

Activity 3.3. Guess who

Below are examples of microorganisms. Write the name of the category of microbes
that each organism belongs.

1. ________ E. coli 6. ________ Candida albicans

2. ________ Staphylococcus aureus 7. ________ Amoeba
3. ________ Salmonella 8. ________ Giardia lamblia
4. ________ Ebola 9. ________ Aspergillus
5. ________ HIV 10. _______ Halophiles

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Activity 4. Describing the characteristics of microbes
Microorganisms are generally grouped into five groups. Each of them
possesses unique characteristics that make them different from one another. Let us
get to know them in detail.
Bacteria are single-celled microbes. The cell structure is simpler than that of
other organisms as there is no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles. Instead, their
control center containing the genetic information is contained in a single loop of DNA.
Some bacteria have an extra circle of genetic material called a plasmid. The plasmid
often contains genes that give the bacterium some advantage over other bacteria.
Bacteria are classified into five groups according to their basic shapes: spherical
(cocci), rod (bacilli), spiral (spirilla), comma (vibrios), or corkscrew (spirochetes). They
can exist as single cells, in pairs, chains, or clusters. Bacteria are found in every habitat
on Earth: soil, rock, oceans, and even arctic snow. Some live in or on other organisms
including plants and animals including humans. There are approximately 10 times as
many bacterial cells as human cells in the human body. A lot of these bacterial cells
are found lining the digestive system. Some bacteria live in the soil or on dead plant
matter where they play an important role in the cycling of nutrients. Some types cause
food spoilage and crop damage but others are incredibly useful in the production of
fermented foods such as yogurt and soy sauce. Few bacteria are parasites or
pathogens that cause disease in animals and plants. Bacteria reproduce by binary
fission. In this process, the bacterium, which is a single cell, divides into two identical
daughter cells. Binary fission begins when the DNA of the bacterium divides into two
(replicates). The bacterial cell then elongates and splits into two daughter cells each
with identical DNA to the parent cell. Each daughter cell is a clone of the parent cell.

Source: Google Images

Viruses are the smallest of all microbes. They are unique because they are
only alive and able to multiply inside the cells of other living things. The cell they
multiply in is called the host cell. A virus is made up of a core of genetic material, either
DNA or RNA, surrounded by a protective coat called a capsid which is made up of
protein. Sometimes the capsid is surrounded by an additional spikey coat called the
envelope. Viruses are capable of latching onto host cells and getting inside them.
Viruses only exist to make more viruses. The virus particle attaches to the host cell
before penetrating it. The virus then uses the host cell’s machinery to replicate its
genetic material. Once replication has been completed, the virus particles leave the
host by either budding or bursting out of the cell (lysis).

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 Source: Google Images

Fungi are eukaryotic, non-vascular, non-motile, and heterotrophic organisms.

They are found in just about any habitat but most live on the land, mainly in soil or on
plant material rather than in sea or freshwater. They may be unicellular or filamentous
and the majority of them reproduce asexually by spores but there are some through
fragmentation, fission, and budding.
A group called the decomposers to grow in the soil or on dead plant matter
where they play an important role in the cycling of carbon and other elements. Some
are parasites of plants causing diseases such as mildews, rusts, scabs, or canker. A
very small number of fungi cause diseases in animals. In humans, these include skin
diseases such as athletes’ foot, ringworm, and thrush. Fungi exhibit the phenomenon
of alternation of generation. They lack chlorophyll, hence cannot perform
photosynthesis.
Fungi are subdivided based on their life cycles, the presence or structure of
their fruiting body, and the arrangement of and type of spores they produce.

The three major groups of fungi are:

• Multicellular filamentous molds.

Source: google images

• Macroscopic filamentous fungi that form large fruiting bodies.

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 Penicillium brevicompacum (left) and Trichoderma sp. (right)
isolated from tap water grown on MEA and observed under optical microscope after stained with Lactophenol Cotton Blue.
Source: google images
• Single-celled microscopic yeasts.

Source: google images

Protists are simple eukaryotic organisms that are neither plants nor animals or fungi.
Most protists are microscopic and unicellular, but some true multicellular forms exist. They
range in size from microscopic to thousands of meters in area. Most protists live in water,
damp terrestrial environments, or even as parasites. The primary feature of all protists is that
they are eukaryotic organisms. This means that they have a membrane-enclosed nucleus.
Protists may have animal-like cell membranes, plant-like cell walls, or may be covered by a
pellicle. Most protists are motile and generate movement with cilia, flagella, or pseudopodia.
Some protists are heterotrophs and ingest food by phagocytosis, while other types of protists
are photoautotrophs and store energy via photosynthesis. Parasitism is also observed in
protists. Species such as Trypanosoma protozoa can cause sleeping sickness in humans.
Protists reproduce by a variety of mechanisms. Most undergo some form of asexual
reproduction, such as binary fission, to produce two daughter cells.

Source: Google images

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 Archaea can be spherical, rod, spiral, lobed, rectangular, or irregular in shape. An
unusual flat, square-shaped species that live in salty pools have also been discovered. Some
exist as single cells, others form filaments or clusters. Until the 1970s this group of microbes
was classified as bacteria. Modern science only learned about them in 1977, by Carl Woese
& George Fox.
Archaea are prokaryotes, which means that the cells don't have a nucleus or other
membrane-bound organelles in their cells. Their DNA is a single molecule, circular. The cell
membrane is composed of lipids and they have a rigid cell wall. The main differentiating
characteristic of archaea is their ability to survive in toxic environments and extreme habitats.
Their tolerance ranges from 4oc to 110oc and from pH -0.06 to 9.5. Half of the known archae
are methanogenic, meaning they give off methane as a by-product of their metabolic activity.
Flagella allow the archaea to move and they can reproduce via binary fission just like bacteria.

https://www.earthlife.net/prokaryotes/archaea.html Source: Google images

Activity 4.1 Match Me

Choose from among the choices below which phrase/phrases best describe the
characteristic of microorganisms. Write your answer/answers below the major
groups of microorganisms.

MICROORGANISMS

Bacteria Virus Fungi Protist Archaea

a) Saprophytic or parasitic
b) Has single loop of DNA l) Can survive in extreme environment
c) Methanogenic m) Yeast, mushroom, molds
d) Lies In the borderline of living and n) Influenza, Covid 19, herpes
non-living
e) There is no nucleus and membrane o) Euglena, Paramecium
bound organelle
f) Smallest of all microbes p) Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis,
g) Heterotrophic rhodobacter
h) Mostly aquatic q) Prokaryotes
i) May spread from one person to another r) Eukaryotes
j) Reproduce by binary fission s) Picrophilus
k) Amoeba and Paramecium t) Reproduce by spore

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 Activity 4.2. Describe Me

Describe the characteristics of microorganisms based on their cellular composition,

morphology, means of locomotion, and mode of reproduction.

Characteristic Microorganism
Bacteria Fungi Virus Protists Archaea

Cellular
composition

Morphology (size,
shape, structure)

Means of
locomotion

Mode of
reproduction

Guide Questions:
1. Why are fungi parasitic and at the same time saprophytic?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

2. What is the role of bacteria in the decomposition of organic matter?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

3. How do viruses and bacteria different?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

4. Are viruses considered living things? Why or why not?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Activity 5. Uses of Microorganisms in Biotechnology

Microbes play an incredibly important role in research. Many of the

breakthroughs in molecular biology, such as understanding how the genetic code
works and how genes are used to make proteins, were made by scientists studying
microbes in the laboratory.
Molecular biologists research how living organisms function and apply this
knowledge in biotechnology, using biological systems to develop new applications or
produce new products. Many of the different enzymes produced by microbes are used
as tools to help biologists perform research.
Let’s look at each organism in more detail.
Some of the organisms more commonly used in biotechnology include:

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 ➢ Aspergillus. A type of filamentous fungus that has been used for genetic
engineering in a few cases and which is also used to produce citric acid by
fermentation.
➢ Bacillus subtilis. This Gram-positive bacterium is widely used as a cloning host,
especially for the expression of secreted proteins.
➢ Candida utilis. The yeast used in fermentation to produce chemicals.
➢ Clostridium acetobutylicum. A bacterium used as a source of enzymes.
➢ Corynebacterium glutamicum. This is widely used in fermentation processes
producing amino acids for food supplements.
➢ Escherichia coli. This very versatile Gram-negative bacterium is used in many
biotechnological processes. It is by far the most common host cell for recombinant
DNA work. It is also used in fermentation to make many amino acids and other
products, since it grows on many very cheap fermentation substrates, grows fast,
and can be manipulated genetically to accumulate many different chemicals. It is
also very chemically versatile and quite non-pathogenic (except for a few strains,
which obviously, are not used for biotechnology).
➢ Penicillum. A group of filamentous fungi used primarily to produce penicillin
antibiotics.
➢ Pseudomonas. A group of soil bacteria that contains some extremely diverse
chemical abilities, which biotechnology has harnessed in bioremediation.
➢ Saccharomyces. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is brewers’ and bakers’ yeast, and
as such is probably the most widely exploited microorganism. Saccharomyces are
also used in recombinant DNA work because they are eukaryotes and hence have
the same sort of genetic structure as humans, similarly, secrete proteins, and so
on, but are almost as easy to ferment as bacteria.

➢ Streptomycetes. These Gram-positive bacteria are used to produce a range of

chemicals, especially antibiotics. They have also been used as the host for genetic
engineering.

(from Biotechnology from A to Z – Oxford)

Activity 5.1 Is It True or False?

Indicate whether the statement is TRUE or FALSE by selecting the correct option.

1. Ringworm is caused by a worm. _________

2. Bacteria are smaller than viruses. _________
3. Fungi never cause disease. _________
4. Yeast is a type of fungus. _________
5. There are bacteria in yoghurt. _________
6. Antibiotics such as penicillin are produced by viruses. _________
7. Herpes is a disease caused by a virus. _________
8. Viruses are the smallest of all the microbes. _________
9. Archaea can survive in toxic environments and extreme habitats. _________
10. Play an important role as zooplanktons. _________

Activity 5.2 Who’s Job Is It?

Select the correct microorganism which is used in the following processes. There could
be several answers for a particular item.

1. Wine making _________

2. Decomposing of dead matter _________
3. Making of yoghurt _________
4. Making of penicillin _________
5. Making of cheese _________

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 6. Bread making _________
7. Digestion of cellulose found in green plant eaten by herbivores _________
8. Restriction enzymes _________
9. Producing renewable bio-oils with photosynthetic microalgae _________
10. Production of vaccines _________

Activity 6. Role of Microbes

Write a short essay on the important role of microorganisms in biotechnology. Use the
rubric below as your guide in writing your essay.

Rubrics for Scoring: Essay

Criteria 5 points
A clear understanding of the
Content concept and conveys ideas
comprehensively
The organization is
Organization outstanding and showcases
the central theme. The
presentation of information is
compelling.
Demonstrates an outstanding
Grammar word choice selection with
well-built sentences and
writing convention
3 points 1 point
Little understanding of No understanding of
the concept the concept
The organizational
structure is strong The organization is
enough to move the poor
reader without too
much confusion
Demonstrates a Demonstrates a
sufficient selection of limited vocabulary and
words with some lack of fluidity. Errors
errors of standard in structure/writing in
writing conventions convention

REFLECTION:

Complete the statement below.

1. In the activity, I learned that
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
2. I enjoyed most on
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

3. I want to learn more

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

REFERENCES FOR LEARNERS:

Internet Sources:

Google images
https://microbiologysociety.org/why-microbiology-matters/what-is-
microbiology.html
https://bitesizebio.com/48446/microbes-biotechnology/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257525957_Biotechnology_Role_Of_Mi
crobes_In_Sustainable_Agriculture_And_Environmental_Health
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4

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 https://microbiologysociety.org/why-microbiology-matters/whatismicrobiology.html
https://www.earthlife.net/prokaryotes/archaea.html
https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/archaea/archaea.html

ANSWER KEY:

Activity 1.
Questions:

1. How many organisms do you see in the picture? MANY (Animals, Plants, People)
2. Are there organisms not seen in the picture? YES.
3. What do you think are they? MICROORGANISMS

Activity 2. What are microbes?

Answer the following TRUE or FALSE.

1. Microorganisms come in different shape and sizes. TRUE
2. Microbes are non-living organisms. FALSE
3. All microorganisms are harmful. FALSE
4. They are found everywhere. TRUE
5. Microorganisms are so small we need a microscope
to see them. TRUE

Activity 3. Identifying Microorganisms

Activity 3.1

Take a look at the pictures below. Name the 5 groups of microorganisms by matching the
picture with their correct name. Write your answer in the space provided.

BACTERIA ARCHAE VIRUS PROTIST FUNGI

Activity 3.2 Microbe Mania

Given the riddle below, identify the name of the microorganism to which they belong.

1. Bacteria
2. Virus
3. Fungi
4. Protist
5. Archae

Activity 3.3. Guess who

Below are examples of microorganisms. Write the name of the category of microbes
that each organism belongs.

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1. BACTERIA E. coli
2. BACTERIA Staphylococcus aureus
3. BACTERIA Salmonella
4. VIRUS Ebola
5. VIRUS HIV
6. FUNGI Candida albicans
7. PROTIST Amoeba
8. PROTIST Giardia lamblia
9. FUNGI Aspergillus
10. ARCHAE Halophiles

Activity 4. Describing the characteristics of microbes

Choose from among the choices below which phrase/phrases best describe the
characteristic of microorganisms. Write your answer below the major groups of
microorganisms.

a) Saprophytic or parasitic FUNGI

b) Has single loop of DNA BACTERIA, ARCHAE
c) Methanogenic ARCHAE
d) Lies in the borderline of living and non-living VIRUS
e) There is no nucleus and membrane bound organelle ARCHAE, BACTERIA
f) Smallest of all microbes VIRUS
g) Heterotrophic FUNGI
h) Mostly aquatic PROTIST
i) May spread from one person to another VIRUS
j) Reproduce by binary fission ARCHAE, BACTERIA
k) Amoeba and Paramecium PROTISTS
l) Can survive in extreme environment ARCHAE
m) Yeast, Mushroom, Molds FUNGI
n) Influenza, Covid 19, Herpes VIRUS
o) Euglena, Paramecium PROTIST
p) Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, rhodobacter BACTERIA
q) Prokaryotes BACTERIA, ARCHAE
r) Eukaryotes FUNGI, PROTISTS
s) Picrophilus ARCHAE
t) Reproduce by spores FUNGI

Activity 5.
Describe the characteristics of microorganisms based on their cellular composition,
morphology, means of locomotion, and mode of reproduction.

Characteristic Microorganism
Bacteria Fungi Virus Protists Archae
Do not have Has a Has a Have no
Cellular a nucleus; Have either nucleus; membrane-
composition membrane- contain RNA or contain bound
enclosed multiple DNA as multiple organelle
nucleus membrane- their genetic membrane- within their
bound material bound cells
organelles organelles
They come Composed of Consists of Exhibit a Have a
in 3 basic filaments a nucleic wide range of diverse
shapes: called hyphae acid core,

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 Morphology spherical an outer size, shape, variety of
(size, shape, (cocci), rod- protein and structure shapes
structure) shaped coating or
(bacilli), and capsid, and
spiral sometimes
(spirochete) an outer
envelope
made of
protein and
phospholipid
membranes
derived from
the host cell.
Mostly Have no Have no Move by Move
move using mechanism means of means of using
Means of flagella but for locomotion locomotion pseudopodia, flagella
locomotion some by flagella &
species are themselves; cilia
stationary they need a
host cell to
spread
By binary The majority Can’t Reproduce By binary
Mode of fission; reproduce reproduce asexually fission
reproduction some by asexually by on their through
budding spores; but own; need a binary fission
some through host cell to
fragmentation, reproduce
fission, and (through the
budding lytic cycle
and
lysogenic
cycle)

Guide Questions:
1. Why are fungi parasitic and at the same time saprophytic?
All fungi are unable to make their food and must consume other live or dead
organisms to survive.
2. What is the role of bacteria in the decomposition of organic matter?
To release the nutrients back into the environment. Bacteria convert gaseous
nitrogen into nitrates or nitrites as part of their metabolism and the resulting products
are released into the environment.
3. How do viruses and bacteria differ?
Bacteria are free-living cells that can live inside or outside a body while viruses
are a non-living collection of molecules that need a host to survive.
4. Are viruses considered living things? Why or why not?
Viruses are not living things. Viruses are complicated assemblies of
molecules including protein, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, but on their
own, they can do nothing until they enter a living cell. Without cells, viruses would not
be able to multiply.

Activity 5.1
Indicate whether the statement is TRUE or FALSE by selecting the correct option

1. Ringworm is caused by a worm FALSE

2. Bacteria are smaller than viruses. FALSE

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 3. Fungi never cause disease FALSE
4. Yeast is a type of fungus TRUE
5. There are bacteria in yoghurt TRUE
6. Antibiotics such as penicillin are produced by viruses. FALSE
7. Herpes is a disease caused by a virus TRUE
8. Viruses are the smallest of all the microbes TRUE
9. Archaea can survive in toxic environments
and extreme habitats TRUE
10. Protists play an important role as zooplanktons. TRUE
Activity 5.2
Select the correct microorganism which is used in the following processes. There could be
several answers for a particular item.

1. Wine making bacteria & fungi

2. Decomposing of dead matter bacteria, fungi, protists
3. Making of yoghurt bacteria
4. Making of penicillin fungi
5. Making of cheese bacteria
6. Bread making fungi
7. Digestion of cellulose found in green plant
eaten by herbivores bacteria
8. Restriction enzymes bacteria
9. Producing renewable bio-oils with
photosynthetic microalgae protist
10. Production of vaccines virus & bacteria

Activity 5.3

Write a short essay on the role of microorganisms in biotechnology. Answers may vary
guided by the rubric given.

DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Author/ Writer: Jemer R. Balderama
Content Editor: Ma. Leenell L. Medes
Language Editor: Ashley Jane R. Dayrit
Education Program Supervisor: Jade O. Alberto, EdD

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