Types of Microbes 🌷 Flashcards
What are the four types of microbes?
Fungi (largest), Protozoa, bacteria, Viruses ( smallest)
What is the largest microbe?
Fungi
What is the smallest microbe?
Viruses
What is Fungi?
Fungi- they can be single celled ( such as yeast ) or can invade cells and absorb their nutrients (such as mould ). Fungi can live on decaying surfaces or in living tissues.
What is Protozoa?
Protozoa are single-celled organisms that are larger than viruses and bacteria. They absorb nutrients from their surroundings. Malaria and amoebic dysentery are caused by protozoa.
What is Bacteria?
Bacteria are also single-celled organisms that live between cells. They grow very quickly under the right conditions. Bacteria cause diseases such as cholera and pneumonia, and can also lead to food poisoning.
What is a virus?
Viruses can only live inside other cells- they invade then destroy the cells, and are responsible for many diseases. Although technically viruses are not living things, we still class them to be microorganisms.
What is a Superbug?
A super bug is a particular strain of microorganisms that has become resistant to treatments- existing medications such as antibiotics could not help the patient.
What is a pathogen?
A pathogen is a harmful microbe
Why do you think microorganisms have that name?
As they are tiny cells ( micro= tiny and organism= cell/ living thing)
State all the diseases caused by fungus
Athlete’s foot, ringworm and thrush
State all the diseases cause by a virus
Influenza, measles, chickenpox, smallpox and AIDS.
State all the diseases caused by a bacterium.
whooping cough, salmonella and pneumonia.
What are microorganisms?
Microorganisms are everywhere: there are four types, protozoa, viruses, bacteria and fungi. Many of them are useful, but some cause serious infections. Viruses are the smallest type. They can only be seen with an electron microscope as they are so small. Antibiotics kill bacteria.
