Meet the microorganisms
Look at prepared slides and microscope images of tiny living things, find out whether they are useful or harmful, and sort them into bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae and viruses.
Core concept
In short: Meet living things too small to see, some helpful and some harmful.
Microorganisms are too small to see without a microscope; the main groups are bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae and viruses, and some are useful while others cause disease
Topic: Microorganisms
microorganism: A living thing too small to see without a microscope, like bacteria. All key words (microbes) are living things too small to see with the naked eye. Bacteria are single cell: The tiny building block that every living thing is made of. All key words without a nucleus, shaped like rods, spheres or spirals. Fungi include single-celled yeasts and moulds made of fine threads. Protozoa are single cells with a nucleus that move and feed like tiny animals. Algae are simple plant-like organisms with chlorophyll: The green colouring in leaves that catches sunlight for photosynthesis. All key words that make their own food. Viruses are far smaller than bacteria, can only be seen with an electron microscope, and can only reproduce inside other cells. Many microbes are useful, making curd, bread and soil nutrient: Something in food that the body needs to grow and stay healthy, like protein or vitamins. All key words, while others cause diseases such as typhoid, malaria and flu.
What you will learn
- Name the main groups of microorganisms.
- Identify a microorganism from its features under the microscope.
- Give examples of useful and harmful microorganisms.
Before you start
- Know how to use a microscope safely.
Materials
- Prepared slides and microscope images
Equipment
- Compound microscope
Procedure
- Choose a card and look at the microorganism under the microscope.
- Find out whether it is useful or harmful.
- Place each card in the right group.