8.

5 The impact of
Microorganisms on Life
Microorganism
 Tiny living things that only can be seen
using microscope
 Classified based on their characteristics
(appearance, shape, size, method of
reproduction, nutrition and habitat)
Microorganism
 Classified into 5 groups:
• Viruses – smallest microorganisms, not a living
cell and must use living cells to reproduce.
(E.g. HIV, Influenza virus etc.)
• Bacteria – unicellular organisms, have cell
wall, form spores under unfavourable condition
and have 3 common shape  spherical, rod-
shaped and spiral. (E.g. Lactobacillus sp.,
Straphyloccous sp. etc.)
Microorganism
• Protozoa – unicellular organism, have
plasma membrane and can carry out
living processes. (E.g. Amoeba sp.,
Paramecium sp. etc.)
• Algae – have chlorophyl and
chloroplast, can undergoes
photosynthesis process. (E.g.
Spirogyra sp.)
Microorganism
• Fungi – heterotrophic microorganisms,
feeds by secreting enzymes that break
down the surrounding organic material
into simple molecule before absorb
them. (E.g. Mucor sp., yeast etc.)
The effects of abiotic components
on the activity of microorganisms
 What are abiotic factors?
 How the abiotic factors effects the
activity of microorganisms?
The role of useful microorganisms in
the ecosystem
Decomposition The nitrogen
cycle
Roles of
microorganisms
in ecosystem

Digesting Digesting
animal’s food human’s food
The harmful microorganisms
 Microorganisms that cause diseases are
called pathogens
 Pathogens are classified as parasites or
saprophytes
 They cause diseases in two ways:

4.Produce poisonous chemical

5.Attack and destroy host cells and body
tissues
Transmission of diseases
Controlling pathogens
The uses of microorganisms in
biotechnology
 Biotechnology – application of biological
processes in the manufacturing and
servicing industries
 Production of
Production of energy
antibiotics, vaccines
from biomass
and hormones

The use of
Production of microorganisms
biodegradable plastic Cleaning of oil spills
in
(bioplastic) biotechnology

Food processing Waste treatment

8.6 Appreciating
Biodiversity
How to appreciate biodiversity?
 Through conservation and preservation.
Exercise
 Do Focus Practice 8.5 on page 198 in
the textbook.