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All life on Earth consists of cells. Some living things contain millions of cells and others contain only 1 cell.
All life on Earth consists of cells. Some living things contain millions of cells and others contain only 1 cell.
A Microorganism is a living thing that can only be observed using a microscope. Most microorganisms contain only 1 cell. There are millions of different types of microorganisms, many have a positive effect on our lives but some can have negative effects, such as cause diseases.
A Microorganism is a living thing that can only be observed using a microscope. Most microorganisms contain only 1 cell. There are millions of different types of microorganisms, many have a positive effect on our lives but some can have negative effects, such as cause diseases.
Types of Microorganisms
Types of Microorganisms
There a millions of different microorganisms on Earth, but all can be described in four main groups:-
There a millions of different microorganisms on Earth, but all can be described in four main groups:-
- Bacteria.
- Viruses.
- Fungi.
- Protists.
Bacteria
Bacteria
The diagram below shows the three main shapes of Bacteria:-
The diagram below shows the three main shapes of Bacteria:-
The audio file below is a track from Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds, based upon H.G. Wells classic novel.
The audio file below is a track from Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds, based upon H.G. Wells classic novel.
As can be seen from the above audio clip, bacteria are microorganisms which can cause diseases. However, bacteria have many more functions, most of which have nothing to do with us at all!
As can be seen from the above audio clip, bacteria are microorganisms which can cause diseases. However, bacteria have many more functions, most of which have nothing to do with us at all!
The functions of bacteria include:-
The functions of bacteria include:-
- Helps plants to absorb Nitrogen from the soil.
- Break down cellulose in the stomach of certain animals to allow them to digest plant material.
- Causes dead organisms to decay, returning their nutrients to the environment.
- Used to create Insulin, a hormone needed by people with Diabetes.
- Digest waste products in sewage, as part of water purification.
- Some bacteria give off Oxygen as waste, this was the source of Oxygen in the atmosphere before plants existed.
There are thousands of other beneficial things that bacteria do, without which the Earth would look very different!
There are thousands of other beneficial things that bacteria do, without which the Earth would look very different!
Diseases caused by bacteria include:-
Diseases caused by bacteria include:-
Bacteria Case Study : Cholera
Bacteria Case Study : Cholera
Cholera is a bacterial infection that can be caused by drinking contaminated water, or eating contaminated food. Cholera causes severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps and nausea and kills over 140,000 people a year worldwide. Cholera kills due to the severe vomiting and diarrhoea causes the infected person to become severely dehydrated, which can be fatal if not treated.
Cholera is a bacterial infection that can be caused by drinking contaminated water, or eating contaminated food. Cholera causes severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps and nausea and kills over 140,000 people a year worldwide. Cholera kills due to the severe vomiting and diarrhoea causes the infected person to become severely dehydrated, which can be fatal if not treated.
The treatment for cholera is Oral Rehydration solutions. These are solutions that contain a mixture of Glucose (sugar) and salts, which when drank acts to replace the fluids and minerals lost due to Cholera. This allows the body enough time to fight off the Infection itself.
The treatment for cholera is Oral Rehydration solutions. These are solutions that contain a mixture of Glucose (sugar) and salts, which when drank acts to replace the fluids and minerals lost due to Cholera. This allows the body enough time to fight off the Infection itself.
The spread of Cholera can be prevented by:-
The spread of Cholera can be prevented by:-
- Boiling or sterilising water before drinking or cooking with it.
- Avoid uncooked vegetables unless they have been prepared in safe water.
- Good Personal Hygiene, washing hands is vital.
The video below shows a short animation that shows the effects of Cholera, as well as treatment and prevention:-
The video below shows a short animation that shows the effects of Cholera, as well as treatment and prevention:-
Viruses
Viruses
The diagram below shows the four main shapes of viruses:-
The diagram below shows the four main shapes of viruses:-
Viruses are much smaller than bacteria. Viruses are so strange that scientists are unsure if they qualify as being a living thing! Unlike most living things, viruses cannot reproduce on their own, they can only reproduce inside other cells.
Viruses are much smaller than bacteria. Viruses are so strange that scientists are unsure if they qualify as being a living thing! Unlike most living things, viruses cannot reproduce on their own, they can only reproduce inside other cells.
To reproduce, the virus enters a cell, then they take control of the cell, forcing it to make thousands of copies of the virus. Eventually the cell then bursts open, releasing the new viruses which can go on to infect other cells.
To reproduce, the virus enters a cell, then they take control of the cell, forcing it to make thousands of copies of the virus. Eventually the cell then bursts open, releasing the new viruses which can go on to infect other cells.
Diseases caused by viruses include:-
Diseases caused by viruses include:-
The video below shows a detailed description of how viruses attack living cells.
The video below shows a detailed description of how viruses attack living cells.
Hidden life of cells.mp4Virus Case Study : H.I.V.
Virus Case Study : H.I.V.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically the white blood cells, which help fight off infections. Over time, HIV can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections and diseases. If left untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), a condition where the immune system is severely weakened to a point when any further incfections can be fatal, and was responisble for the deaths of 630,000 people gloablly in 2022.
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, specifically the white blood cells, which help fight off infections. Over time, HIV can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections and diseases. If left untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), a condition where the immune system is severely weakened to a point when any further incfections can be fatal, and was responisble for the deaths of 630,000 people gloablly in 2022.
HIV cannot be cured, but there are very effective treatments that enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life. HIV is treated with antiretroviral medicines, which work by stopping the virus replicating in the body. This allows the immune system to repair itself and prevent further damage.
HIV cannot be cured, but there are very effective treatments that enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life. HIV is treated with antiretroviral medicines, which work by stopping the virus replicating in the body. This allows the immune system to repair itself and prevent further damage.
The spread of HIV can be prevented by:-
The spread of HIV can be prevented by:-
- Pracising safe sex (using a condom)
- Screening of blood for HIV prior to transfusions
- Not sharing needles between users
- Wearing of protective equipment (such as medical gloves) when providing medical care.
The video below shows a short animation that shows the effects of HIV, as well as treatment and prevention:-
The video below shows a short animation that shows the effects of HIV, as well as treatment and prevention:-
Fungi
Fungi
The diagram below shows the two main types of fungi:-
The diagram below shows the two main types of fungi:-
Fungi are neither plants nor animals, but a class of organisms all of their own. Most people can recognise the multicellular fungi (mushrooms and toadstools), but most do not realise that the moulds that grow on food are also fungi. Fungi specialise in decay, and are vital in the decomposition of dead material, especially wood.
Fungi are neither plants nor animals, but a class of organisms all of their own. Most people can recognise the multicellular fungi (mushrooms and toadstools), but most do not realise that the moulds that grow on food are also fungi. Fungi specialise in decay, and are vital in the decomposition of dead material, especially wood.
Like bacteria, fungi have many more functions than causing diseases, most of which have nothing to do with us at all!
Like bacteria, fungi have many more functions than causing diseases, most of which have nothing to do with us at all!
The function of fungi include:-
The function of fungi include:-
- Causes dead organisms to decay, returning their nutrients to the environment.
- The fungi Yeast is used in baking to make bread rise and in brewing to ferment sugar to make alcohol.
- Certain types of fungi can be eaten, but you should NEVER eat an unidentified mushroom, as some are highly poisonous.
- Fungi can kill other microorganisms such as bacteria, by creating chemicals called antibiotics.
There are thousands of other beneficial things that fungi do, without which the Earth would look very different!
There are thousands of other beneficial things that fungi do, without which the Earth would look very different!
Diseases caused by Fungi include:-
Diseases caused by Fungi include:-
Fungi Case Study : Ringworm
Fungi Case Study : Ringworm
Despite its name, ringworm doesn’t have anything to do with worms.
Despite its name, ringworm doesn’t have anything to do with worms.
Ringworm is a common fungal infection that can cause an itchy red or silvery ring-like rash on the skin. Ringworm commonly affects arms and legs, but it can appear almost anywhere on the body. Ringworm is not serious and is usually easily treated. However, it is contagious and easily spread, including by household pets.
Ringworm is a common fungal infection that can cause an itchy red or silvery ring-like rash on the skin. Ringworm commonly affects arms and legs, but it can appear almost anywhere on the body. Ringworm is not serious and is usually easily treated. However, it is contagious and easily spread, including by household pets.
The spread of Ringworm can be prevented by:-
The spread of Ringworm can be prevented by:-
- Avoid sharing towels, bedding or clothes with someone with a fungal infection.
- If you think your pet has ringworm, take it to the vet.
- In addition to treatment, you should maintain a good level of personal hygiene to prevent the infection spreading.
The video below shows a short animation that shows the effects of Ringworm, as well as treatment and prevention:-
The video below shows a short animation that shows the effects of Ringworm, as well as treatment and prevention:-
Protists
Protists
The diagram below shows the three main types of protists:-
The diagram below shows the three main types of protists:-
Like fungi, protists are neither plants nor animals, but a class of organisms all of their own. They all are single-celled organisms, and display similarities with animals, plants and fungi, but are too different to be counted in those groups. The plant-like protist Algae is responsible for the creation of over half the Earth's Oxygen.
Like fungi, protists are neither plants nor animals, but a class of organisms all of their own. They all are single-celled organisms, and display similarities with animals, plants and fungi, but are too different to be counted in those groups. The plant-like protist Algae is responsible for the creation of over half the Earth's Oxygen.
Diseases caused by protists include:-
Diseases caused by protists include:-
Protist Case Study : Malaria
Protist Case Study : Malaria
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is a major global health problem, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The malaria parasite reproduces in red blood cells, destroying them and causing anemia, and can cause organ damage to the brain, lungs, kidneys and liver.
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is a major global health problem, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The malaria parasite reproduces in red blood cells, destroying them and causing anemia, and can cause organ damage to the brain, lungs, kidneys and liver.
The spread of Malaria can be prevented by:-
The spread of Malaria can be prevented by:-
- Prevent Mosquito bites through use of mosquito repellant and mosquito nets for sleeping.
- Taking prophylactic malaria medication before and during a trip to areas with mosquitos.
- Be risk aware - malaria risk may be higher during certain times of the year, such as the rainy season.
The video below shows a short animation that shows the effects of Malaria, as well as treatment and prevention:-
The video below shows a short animation that shows the effects of Malaria, as well as treatment and prevention:-
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