Microorganisms

Question 1

What are microorganisms?

Answer 1

They are typically single celled organisms including bacteria, some fungi and viruses

Question 2

What are the two main ways of observing microorganisms?

Answer 2

1. Microscopes, either light or the electron variety
2. Culturing microorganisms till they’re colonies big enough to see.

Question 3

What are bacteria?

Answer 3

They’re the smallest living organisms between 0.2 and 2 microns and are all single celled organisms despite coming in many different shapes and sizs. They reproduce by splitting in two.

Question 4

All bacteria have:

Answer 4

A loop of genetic material in the cytoplasm carrying reproductive information but no nucleus and a cell wall with a very different strucure to a plant cell wall.

Question 5

Most bacteria have:

Answer 5

1.Plasmids-small extra pieces of genetic info
2.A slime capsule which helps to protect them form attacks and from drying out.
3.Flagella which beat to move them along

Question 6

What are hyphae?

Answer 6

They are tangles of microscopic threads on fungi which absorb food from their surroundings.

Question 7

How big are viruses?

Answer 7

They are about 0.1-0.01 micrometers, much smaller than even bacteria.

Question 8

What are the ways disease causing microorganisms spread from person to person?

Answer 8

1. Droplet Infection
2. Direct contact
3. Contaminated food and drink
4. Break in the skin

Question 9

What are decomposers?

Answer 9

They are the bacteria or fungi that break down dead organisms, droppings or left out food and digests it leaving some of the nutrients in the soil.

Question 10

What are two uses for decomposers?

Answer 10

1. Making compost
2. Treating sewage

Question 11

What are producers?

Answer 11

They are organisms, often plants that make their own food usually through photosynthesis.