Chapter 2
Microorganisms: Friend and Foe
Explore useful and harmful microorganisms in daily life.
Overview
Microorganisms are tiny living things that can be useful in medicine and food production, but some also cause disease.
Important Concepts
| Group | Example | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Bacteria | Lactobacillus | Curd formation |
| Fungi | Yeast | Baking and fermentation |
| Protozoa | Amoeba | Usually free-living |
| Algae | Chlamydomonas | Photosynthesis in water |
Detailed Notes
“Vaccination trains the body to fight disease before the real infection arrives.”
- Rhizobium helps plants by fixing nitrogen in the soil.
- Antibiotics are medicines produced by some microorganisms.
- Warm and moist conditions help microorganisms grow on food.