Question

Discuss a different good microorganism (e.g., a bacteria or fungus) and the benefits of this good microorganism. Be sure to properly cite your source for the microorganism you have chosen.

Answer 1

GOOD MICROORGANISM

BACTERIA

Bacteria are single-cell organisms that are neither plant nor animal. They usually measure a few micrometers in length and exist together in communities of millions.A gram of soil typically contain about 40 million bacterial cells . A millimeter of fresh water usually holds about one million bacterial cell.

TYPES

There are many different type of bacteria. One way of classifying them is by shape. There are three basic shapes,

(a) Spherical : Bacteria shaped like a ball are called cocci, and a single bacterium is a coccus.Example includes the streptococcus group.

(b) Rod shaped : These are known as bacilli (single bacterium), some rod shaped bacteria are curved . These are known as vibrio. Example of rod shaped bacteria include bacillus anthracis.

(c) Spiral: These are known as spirilla. if their coil is very tight they are known as spirochetes.

STRUCTURE

bacterial cell are different from plant and animal cells. Bacteria are prokaryotes, which means they have no nucleus. A bacterial cell include Capsule, Cell wall, Plasma membrane, Cytoplasm, DNA, Ribosomes, etc

BENEFITS OF GOOD MICROORGANISM

• Lactic Acid Bacteria (from the genus lactobacillus ) are essential for making yoghurt and cheese
• Molds are used in fermentation of certain cheeses , especially Blue cheeses like Roquefort and Stilton
• Baker's yeast is a main stay in the bakery .It is responsible for that characteristic sweet smell you get walking past the baker early in the morning.
• Brewer's yeast (actually the same species an the bakers yeast )
• Probiotics : These pills you pop to boost your microflora are a collection of bacteria often form the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera.
• Bacteria are important decomposers releasing nutrient back into the soil

FUNGUS

Fungi are everywhere in very large numbers- in the soil and the air , in lakes, rivers and seas, on and within plants and animals , in food and clothing and in human body . Together with bacteria , fungi are responsible for breaking down organic matter and releasing carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorous into soil and the atmosphere .

Fungi are essential to many household and industrial processes , notable the making of Bread ,Wine , Beer and certain Cheese. Fungi are also used as food : for example Mushrooms , Morels and Truffles are Epicurean, and Mycoproteins derived from the Mycelia of certain species of fungi are used to make food that are high in protein

BENEFITS OF GGOD MICROORGANISM FUNGUS

• The mushroom , because of their size , are easily seen in fields and forests and consequently where the only fungi known before the invention of the microscopein the 17th century.
• Environmental benefits : Fungi feed on dead organic matter whic includes leaf litter , soil , dung, wood and dead animals. They recycle 85 percent of carbon from dead organic matter and release the locked up nutrients so they can be by other organism . This makes the fungi vital for the ongoing health of ecosystem .
• Medecinial benefits: Certain mushrooms such as Ganoderma lucidum, Agaricus subrufescens and Cordyceps sinensis enjoy usage as theraputics as chinese medicine .
• Culinary benefits: several fungi are edible . These include straw mushrooms, Oyster Mushrooms, Shiitakes, Truffles, Milk mushroom and black trumpets
• Chemical industries:fungi are also used to produce industrial chemicals , Including Citric ,Malic and Lactic Acids .they are also used in the production of industrial Enzymes such as Lipae , Cellulose, and Amylase.