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A microorganism, or microbe, is an organism of microscopic size, which may exist in its single-celled form or as a colony of cells. The possible existence of unseen microbial life was suspected from ancient times, such as in Jain scriptures from sixth century BC India.
- Microorganism Definition
- Types of Microorganisms
- Examples of Microorganisms
- Quiz
- References
A microorganism is a living thing that is too small to be seen with the naked eye. Examples of microorganisms include bacteria, archaea, algae, protozoa, and microscopic animals such as the dust mite. These microorganisms have been often under-appreciated and under-studied. Indeed, until Anton von Leeuwenhoek invented the microscope, we did not kno...
Bacteria
Bacteria – now sometimes called “eubacteria” or “true bacteria” to differentiate them from archaebacteria – are the type of microorganism you probably hear about the most. This is because they’re the type most likely to make you sick. Bacteria are the cause of most skin infections, and can also cause food poisoning, pneumonia, strep throat, and many other illnesses. However, bacteria are also very helpful to humans. “Good bacteria” in our digestive tracts help us to extract nutrients from our...
Archaea
Archaea, or archaebacteria, were once thought to be part of the bacteria family. However, recent research has shown that they are much different from eubacteria, and may even be more closely related to us than they are to modern bacteria. Archaea can be found in many of the same places as bacteria – in water, in soil, and inside our digestive tracts, where they help us to stay healthy. However, archaebacteria can also be found in some unusual places – many are able to live in environments tha...
Animals
Several types of animals come in microscopic varieties, including:
Streptococcus bacteria
Streptococcus is a group of bacteria that causes illness in humans. As the name suggests, streptococcusbacteria is the cause of strep throat – and can also cause scarlet fever and, rarely, skin and muscle infections. Streptococcus is a good example of the “dangerous” type of microorganism. On this list, we’ll discuss microorganisms that are both dangerous and helpful to humans.
Malaria Parasite
Malaria is the deadliest disease to humans on Earth today. Transmitted from host to host by mosquito bites, it causes serious symptoms such as fever, hemolytic anemia, and convulsions as the Plasmodiumparasite reproduces inside the host’s body. It may surprise you to learn that the Plasmodiumparasite is not a bacteria – rather, it is a eukaryotic microorganism that reproduces sexually and undergoes a multi-stage life cycle. Plasmodiumdemonstrates the diversity of microorganisms – which may be...
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
If Streptococcus is a “bad” bacterium, Lactobacillus is a “good” type of bacterium. Lactobacillusare bacteria that live in the guts of healthy people, and may help us fight off diseases such as the stomach flu. Lactobacillus is found in many yogurts. Some people even take highly concentrated doses of Lactobacillusin the form of “probiotic” pills or capsules in hopes of staying healthy!
1. Which of the following is NOT true of microorganisms? A. All are prokaryotic B. All are eukaryotic C. All are microscopic D.All are harmful pathogens 2. Which of the following is one reason why our understanding of microorganisms has changed a lot in the last 10 years? A. For most of the 19th and 20th centuries, microorganisms could only be stud...
Madigan M; Martinko J, eds. (2006). Brock Biology of Microorganisms(13th ed.). Pearson Education. p. 1096.(n.d.). Retrieved April 23, 2017, from http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/archaea/archaea.html“Algae Research”. National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany. 2008. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2008.- E-Mail Alert. Add your e-mail address to receive forthcoming issues of this journal
- News. 28 April 2021. Book Builder—Compile a Customized E-Book from Your Favorite MDPI Open Access Content. 15 April 2021. MDPI Celebrates Company Milestone With 25th Anniversary Page.
- Topics. Topic in Plants, Microorganisms. Mechanisms of Resistance to Plant Diseases Editors-in-Chief: Attila L. Ádám, Lorant Király. Deadline: 31 October 2021.
- Conferences. Announce Your Conference. 21–23 July 2021 Noncoding RNA World: From Mechanism to Therapy. 20–24 June 2021 The 12th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-12)
Jun 24, 2024 · Microbiology is the study of microbes, a diverse group of generally minute life-forms that include bacteria, archaea, algae, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. Learn about the history, classification, and applications of microorganisms in science and society.
Jun 24, 2024 · The major groups of microorganisms—namely bacteria, archaea, fungi ( yeasts and molds ), algae, protozoa, and viruses—are summarized below. Links to the more detailed articles on each of the major groups are provided.
Learning Objectives. Explain the roles of microorganisms in ecosystems and biotechnology. A microbe, or microorganism, is a microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell (unicellular); cell clusters; or multicellular, relatively complex organisms.
Learn about the different kinds of microorganisms, such as yeast and bacteria, and how they can be helpful or harmful. Test your knowledge with a quiz and find out how to avoid spreading germs.
