Answer to Question #100758 in Microbiology for Malathy

Question

Identify 5groups of microorganisms. Discuss the importance and roles of the main groups of microorganisms towards humans and environment.

Answer 1

Microorganisms which are also called as microbes are microscopic organisms that exist as unicellular , multi-cellular or cell clusters.

They are categorized into five major groups:

a) Bacteria

b) Fungi: yeasts and molds

c) Viruses

d) Protozoa

e) Algae

Their importance :

Bacteria:

The bacteria that colonize you intestines, called your intestinal mictobiota, are beneficial. They aid in the breakdown and digestion of the food we eat to provide the body with nutrients and energy.Anaerobic sugar fermentation reactions by various bacteria produce different end products.

Fungi:

Fungi are responsible for breaking down organic matter and releasing carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus into the soil and the atmosphere. Fungi are essential to many household and industrial processes, notably the making of bread, wine, beer, and certain cheeses

Viruses:

Viruses contain protein and this property can be used in production of various proteins such as vaccine antigens and antibodies. Virotherapy uses viruses as vectors to treat various diseases, as they can specifically target cells and DNA. It shows promising use in the treatment.

Protozoa:

Protozoans play important roles in wastewater treatment processes, in both activated sludge and slow percolating filter plants. Protozoans play important roles in the fertility of soils. By grazing on soil bacteria, they regulate bacterial populations and maintain them in a state of physiological youth—i.e., in the active growing phase.

Algae:

Algae are healthy source of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and vitamins A, B, C, and E as well as the minerals like iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, and zinc. In fish farming, Algae plays very important role because it helps in the production process. Fish used plankton and zooplankton as a food.