A microorganism is a living organism that is so small that it can only be observed under a microscope Microorganisms play a critical role in the maintenance of ecological balance in our environment. They can be found all around us and within us. They help to maintain the health of organisms as well as to clean up our environmental environment. They also contribute to the production of various foods.
Even though microorganisms have a plethora of advantages, they can also be harmful and cause deadly diseases. For example, when bread is left unattended for a couple of days, the fungus will begin to grow on it. This is because bread is moist, which makes it one of the most favourable environments for the growth of microbes.
HABITAT:
Microbes can be found in every type of habitat (terrestrial, aquatic, atmospheric, or on a living host), and their presence always has an impact on the environment in which they are found to be growing. Because of their adaptability, they can survive in extreme cold or extreme heat conditions. Their adaptability also allows them to survive in a variety of other environments, such as those with limited water availability, high salt content, and low oxygen levels.
TYPES OF MICROORGANISMS:
Microorganisms Are Divided Into Several Types. The major groups of microorganisms are bacteria, archaea, fungi (yeasts and moulds), algae, protozoa, and viruses are divided into four categories.
BACTERIA:
Bacteria are microbes, and their cell structure is much simpler than the cell structure of many other organisms. Their control centre, which contains all of the genetic information, is contained within a single loop of genetic information. Rather than a nucleus, some bacteria have an extra circle of genetic material called a plasmid that contains their genetic material. The plasmid frequently contains genes that confer a competitive advantage on the bacterium over other bacteria. For example, it may contain a gene that confers resistance to a particular antibiotic on the bacterium in question.
Bacteria are divided into five groups based on their basic shapes: spherical (cocci), rod (bacilli), spiral (spirilla), comma (vibrios), and corkscrew (corkscrew-shaped bacteria) (spirochaetes). They can exist as single cells, in pairs, chains, or clusters, among other configurations.
THE ARCHAEA:
Archaea are microorganisms that are structurally and genetically similar to bacteria but are genetically distinct from them. Archaea, also known as archaebacteria, are bacteria that evolved independently of eubacteria and eukaryotes. The fact that they are prokaryotes and do not have a distinct cell nucleus makes them similar to eubacteria. They differ in terms of ribosomal structure, the presence or absence of introns (in some species), and the structure or composition of the plasma membrane. Their similarities to eukaryotes include the fact that archaea contain genes as well as several metabolic pathways that are more closely related to those of eukaryotes: notably, the enzymes involved in transcription and translation are shared by both organisms.
FUNGI:
Fungi are multicellular organisms that can range in complexity from simple single-celled organisms to extremely complex multicellular organisms. Even though they can be found in almost any habitat, the vast majority of them live on land, primarily in the soil or on plant material rather than in sea or freshwater. There is a group of organisms known as decomposers that live in the soil or on dead plant matter and contribute significantly to carbon and other elements cycling in the environment. A number of them are parasites that infect plants and cause diseases such as mildews, ruses, scabs, and canker. Fungal diseases in crops can cause a significant monetary loss for the farmer if left untreated. A very small number of fungi are responsible for the transmission of animal diseases. Athletes’ feet, ringworm, and thrush are examples of skin diseases that can occur in human beings.
ALGAE:
Algae can be found in a variety of environments, including oceans, rivers, and lakes, as well as ponds, brackish water, and even snow. Even though algae are typically green, they are available in an array of different hues and shades. For example, algae that live in snow contain carotenoid pigments in addition to chlorophyll, which gives the snow around them a distinctive red hue.
PROTOZOA:
Protozoa are single-celled organisms that are found in the ocean. It is possible to find them in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from an Amoeba, which can change shape, to a Paramecium, which has a fixed shape and a complicated structure. In addition to freshwater, marine environments, and the soil, they can be found in a diverse range of moist habitats.
VIRUSES:
Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that can only replicate within the confines of a host cell. From a biological standpoint, viruses are incapable of being classified as either living organisms or nonliving organisms. This is because they exhibit certain distinguishing characteristics of both living organisms and non-living entities that distinguish them from one another.
Infection by the virus is defined as an infectious non-cellular entity composed of genetic material and protein that can only infiltrate and reproduce within the living cells of bacteria, plants, and animals. Viruses are not contagious and do not spread between individuals.
Advantages :
- Microorganisms play an important role in the carbon and nitrogen cycles, among other things.
- In the brewing industry, microorganisms are used to manufacture beer, shandy, wine, and a variety of other alcoholic beverages, and they are also used in the dairy and food industries to manufacture cheese and yoghurt.
- The production of several types of industrial solvents and other chemicals is made possible by the use of microorganisms.
- Four, bacteria or the toxins they produce can be used as alternatives to chemical insecticides in the fight against insects.
- Microorganisms have been extensively exploited in the waste treatment and bioremediation industries, respectively. In the treatment of domestic and industrial effluents or wastes, they are effective in decreasing the biological oxidation demand (BOD) and the chemical oxidation demand (COD) (COD).
- Microorganisms contribute to the long-term preservation of good farmland by ensuring that a reasonable and regular presence of microbes is maintained in it.
- Seventh, they are employed in chemical detoxification as well as in the extraction of oil.
- Microorganisms, such as bacteria that have adapted to living in hot springs, can be harvested and used in the production of biological detergents
Disadvantages :
- Microbes can cause illness in animals, plants, and humans, and they can even contaminate food products, which are disadvantages.
- They are responsible for tooth decay.
- They are the cause of the spread of infectious diseases.
Conclusion:
The vast majority of microbes in humans coexist peacefully with human cells, but disease and infection can occur when this delicate balance is upset or when the body’s immune system is compromised. Microbes are capable of exchanging genetic information with one another, and this is one of the mechanisms by which antibiotic resistance is spread throughout the microbial population. MRSA is thought to have originated during this process. It is beneficial microbes that play a significant role in the breakdown of human waste in sewage treatment facilities.