SCIENCE FORM 5 CHAPTER 1: MICROORGANISM AND THEIR EFFECTS ON LIVING THINGS

The Classification of Microorganisms Microorganisms are living things which are so small that cannot be seen with naked eye and are only visible under microscope.

Characteristics of bacteria Bacteria are unicellular microorganisms. Bacteria exist in different shapes and are name according to their shapes

Characteristics of bacteria Bacteria reproduce asexually by binary fission. Favourable conditions for reproduction of bacteria are dark, moist and with nutrients.

Characteristics of fungi Some fungi are microscopic, such as yeast and bread moulds. Fungi do not have chlorophyll

Characteristics of fungi Most fungi reproduce asexually by formation of spores

Characteristics of protozoa Protozoa are unicellular organism They are either found in aquatic habitats ( in ponds, drains and seas)

Characteristics of viruses Viruses are the smallest microorganisms and the most harmful organisms Viruses come in various shapes

Characteristics of viruses A virus can only reproduce in a living host

Characteristics of algae Algae are green plants. They maybe unicellular or multicellular Algae cells contain chloroplasts and carry out photosynthesis process

How environmental factors affect the growth of microorganisms The presence of nutrients Except for viruses, all microorganisms need nutrient to live Photosynthetic and chemosynthetic microorganisms obtain nutrients from minerals In the absence of nutrients, microorganisms either die off or becomes spores

Humidity Except for viruses all microorganisms need water to live When conditions are dry, the most microorganisms become spores and remain inactive Light Microorganisms are active in dark conditions and inactive in bright light Temperature Microorganisms are inactive at low temperature

pH
Most microorganisms are active in neutral condition Extreme acidity or alkalinity can kill microorganisms.

Uses of Microorganisms A-Food Digestion Herbivores such as cows feed on plants that contain cellulose. Cellulose need to be digested by cellulase enzyme. Protozoa and bacteria in herbivores alimentary canal produce cellulase to digest cellulose.

B-Decaying process Many bacteria help decompose (break down) dead organisms into chemicals compounds such as ammonia. This process is known as putrefaction that carried out by putrefying bacteria and fungi

C- Medicine Some types microorganisms produce important drugs called antibiotics For example, Penicillium notatum a type of fungus that used to treat diseases that cause by bacteria. Streptomycin is an antibiotic from bacteria that is used to treat tuberculosis.

D- Agriculture Putrefying bacteria and fungi add humus to the soil Humus help to improve fertility of soil Nitrogen-fixing bacteria help the soil to change ammonia into nitrates. This bacteria are found in root nodules of leguminous plants.

E- Industry

Harmful Effects of Microorganisms

Some microorganisms have harmful effects and they cause diseases Microorganisms which cause diseases are known as pathogens Tooth decay is caused by bacteria Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating food that has been contaminated by bacteria or fungi

Harmful Effects of Microorganisms

Pathogen Bacteria Diseases Tuberculosis(TB) Cholera Gonorrhoea Syphillis Common cold Dengue fever Hepatitis AIDS Tinea or ringworm Symptoms - Chest pain, coughing up blood - Vomiting, severe diarrhoea - Painful urination, discharge pus - Fever, lesions on body - Runny nose, headache, fever - Headache, skin rashes, high fever - Fever, jaundice, - Infection, weight loss, ( failure in immune system) - Ring shaped infection on the skin

Viruses

Fungi

Protozoa

Malaria

- High fever, sweating, muscle pain

Infection through contact

Some diseases such as hepatitis B and AIDS spread through direct contact such as sexual activities, sharing syringe or blood transfusion Other diseases such as ringworm and white spot spread through indirect contact such as sharing towels, clothing or shoes

Infection through air

Diseases that spread through air known as airborne diseases. Airborne diseases usually affect the respiratory system such as tuberculosis, common cold and pneumonia. Viruses or bacteria will spread through sneezing or coughing

Infection through water Diseases that spread through air known as waterborne diseases. Waterborne diseases usually affect the digestive system such as cholera and typhoid fever Person who drinks contaminated water may be infected

Infection through food

Food can be contaminated by houseflies and cockroaches Eating contaminated food causes one to be infected Food can be contaminated if it handled by dirty hands

Infection through vectors

A vector is an animal which transfers pathogens from one host to another Vectors Anopheles mosquitoes Aedes Mosquitoes Culex mosquitoes Houseflies Cockroaches Malaria Dengue fever, Chikungunya Elephantiasis, Japanese encephalitisis (JE) Cholera, typhoid fever, food poisoning Cholera, typhoid fever, food poisoning Diseases or illnesses

Ways to prevent infection caused by microorganisms Diseases that spread through contact can be prevented by maintaining personal hygiene. Avoid sharing personal belongings such as towels, shoes and toothbrush. The spread of diseases through vectors can be controlled by preventing the vectors from breeding.

Preventing the spread of diseases through sterilization Sterilization by using heat : heating the food can kill microorganisms. ( boiling = 100 0 C). Autoclave or pressure cooker can kill microorganisms and spores Sterilization by using chemicals : Antiseptics are used to kill or inhibit microorganisms on skins or wounds. Disinfectants are used to sterilize buildings, toilets or utensils. Sterilization by using radiations : Gamma ray & UV light able to penetrate microorganisms and kill them.

Immunity
Immunity is the ability of the body to fight diseases Immunity is due to the presence of white blood cells in the body White blood cell can produce antibodies to fight pathogens which enter our body Immunity can be divided into Active and Passive immunity

Active Immunity
Immunity said to be active when the body produced the antibodies itself. Natural active immunity: - obtain when someone has been cured from a certain disease. - for example diseases such as measles/ chickenpox give lifelong immunization. Artificial active immunity: - obtain when the body produces antibodies after an injection of a vaccine is given - given to healthy people that have not yet been infected - example BCG vaccine for tuberculosis

Passive Immunity
Immunity is said to be passive if antibodies obtained from outside Natural passive Immunity - an embryo or fetus obtains antibodies from it mother in uterus - baby obtains antibodies through their mother milk Artificial passive immunity - a person injected with antiserum - antiserums is a type of blood plasma that contain antibodies - antiserums are given to a person suffering from a specific disease

Importance of immunity
We are able to stay healthy most of the time because our body has an immune system to fight pathogens In a society where individuals have immunity against a disease, the disease will not spread easily Immunity is important to prevent ourselves