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The Role of Useful Microorganisms in The Ecosystem

1) Nitrogen-fixing bacteria play an important role in the nitrogen cycle by converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium compounds that can be used by plants to make proteins. The nitrogen is then consumed by animals and decomposed by denitrifying bacteria, returning it to the atmosphere. 2) Saprophytic bacteria and fungi break down dead organic matter and return nutrients to the soil, atmosphere, and water, preventing the accumulation of waste and maintaining soil fertility. 3) Mutualistic protozoa in termites' digestive systems secrete cellulase enzymes that help termites digest cellulose in wood for food. 4) Symbiotic bacteria in the human colon synthesize

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419 views16 pages

The Role of Useful Microorganisms in The Ecosystem

1) Nitrogen-fixing bacteria play an important role in the nitrogen cycle by converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium compounds that can be used by plants to make proteins. The nitrogen is then consumed by animals and decomposed by denitrifying bacteria, returning it to the atmosphere. 2) Saprophytic bacteria and fungi break down dead organic matter and return nutrients to the soil, atmosphere, and water, preventing the accumulation of waste and maintaining soil fertility. 3) Mutualistic protozoa in termites' digestive systems secrete cellulase enzymes that help termites digest cellulose in wood for food. 4) Symbiotic bacteria in the human colon synthesize

Uploaded by

Miz Akma
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The role of useful microorganisms in the ecosystem

1) Nitrogen fixing bacteria


Plants cant absorb atm nitrogen directly Can only use N in the form of
Ammonium Nitrite Nitrate

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria assimilate atm N into ammonium compound(NH3 / NH4+)


Nostoc sp. Rhizobium sp.

Nitrates plant protein Animal eat plant : organic N animal protein Waste matter/dead plants & animals ammonium compounds Ammonia nitrites (NO2-) nitrates(NO3-)
Nitrosomonas sp. Nitrobacter sp.

OXIDATION (adding oxygen)

Nitrogen is returned to the atm by denitrifying bacteria through denitrification Nitrates gaseous nitrogen + oxygen
By bacteria Returned to atm Used by bact

Nitrogen cycle

2) Saprophytic bacteria
Saprophytic bacteria and fungi return the nutrients to the atm, soil and water Without them, the nutrients stored in the dead bodies cannot be used to enrich the soil, soil would become less fertile and can no longer sustain plant life and the community on the whole.

3) Mutualistic protozoa
Termites cannot produce enzyme cellulase to digest cellulose (in wood) Trichonympha sp. are present in the alimentary canal of the termites. They secretes cellulase which help to digest the cellulose

4) Symbiotic bacteria
Found in the human colon They synthesise vitamin B12 and K

The harmful effects of microorganisms


Can lead to
Spoilage of food Damage textiles, wood and paint Cause diseases
PATHOGENS = Microorganisms that cause diseases

FOOD AND WATER -contaminated w mo -faeces of infected -Unwashed hand (typhoid n cholera)

VECTORS -cockroaches, mosquitoes, fliescarriers -malaria caused by Plasmodium carried by Anopheles sp.

Methods in the transmission of diseases AIRBORNE & DROPLET TRANSMISSION - Respiratory system - Cough, sneeze (colds) - -spores of pathogens (tuberculosis)

DIRECT CONTACT - Skin: towels, bedlinens clothing of infected person - Sexual intercourse

ANTIBIOTICS - Pennicillin & streptomycin - Chemical subs produced by mo - Used to kill other mo

VACCINES -Modified or weakened viruses or suspensions of dead bacteria - Inoculated into the body to induce the production

Methods of controlling pathogens

ANTICEPTICS - Applied on cuts to kill/inhibit the growth of mo - Acriflavin n iodine

DISINFECTANTS - Solution used to kill mo on the surfaces - Sterilise surgical equipments - Phenol, formmaldehyde, carbolic acid

The use of MO in biotechnology


Production of antibiotics, vaccines, hormones Production of energy from biomass Cleaning of oil spills Waste treatment Production of biodegradable plastic Food processing

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY??

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