Why Are Microbial Activities Important in Biology?
All of you must have been sick at one point in your life. But do you know how we got sick? Or what is the causing factor? The most important cause of being sick is microbes. These are known to cause various diseases in humans, plants, and animals. But are all microbes harmful? Or are there some beneficial microbes too?
Not all microbes are harmful, some microbes are beneficial for us and help in day-to-day life in various fields of life. Some microbes also show very unusual activity. Such as light coming from wounds and spontaneous combustion in the forest.
To know more about microbes continue reading this article!
What Are Microbes?
Microbes are microscopic organisms that live in the air, water, and soil and can thrive in adverse conditions such as hot thermal springs, snow, and saline conditions. These organisms are not visible to the naked eye. Most microbes are beneficial for us but some are also harmful.
What is Microbial Activity?
There are various types of microbial activities such as aerobic, anaerobic, and fungal. The aerobic microbial activity requires oxygen whereas anaerobic microbial activity does not require oxygen.
Beneficial Functions of Microorganism
There are beneficial functions performed by microorganisms. Some of the functions are given below:
Production of Oxygen - There are various bacteria such as blue-green algae which produce oxygen.
Decomposition - Microbes help in the degradation of raw material, and also waste
Cheese and Yogurt - Bacteria ferment milk into cheese and yogurt.
Bread and Dough Production - Bacteria and fungi both ferment and produce bread and dough.
Alcohol Production - Bacteria ferment and produce alcohol and carbon dioxide.
Harmful Effects of Microorganism
Microorganisms can cause various diseases in animals as well as in plants.
They can cause very severe diseases and lead to deaths. Diseases caused by microbes are tuberculosis, aids, the common cold, etc. They can also reduce the crop yield, by causing various infections in plants.
They are also responsible for spoiling the food.
What is Unusual Microbial Activity?
Unusual activities which microbes do not perform usually. There are various unusual activities performed by microbes. Some of the unusual activities are given below:
Examples of Unusual Microbial Activity
Glowing Wound - There is a bacteria named Photorhabdus luminescens, that degrades the other bacteria in the human wound and gives yellowish-greenish color. These bacteria decrease the chances of more infections and also increase the recovery rate.
In 1862 there was a battle in America, and there were many wounded soldiers in this battle. After the battle when these soldiers lay down on the soil for rescue, soldiers noticed a greenish light coming from the wound. At that time they did not understand the logic of this bright light coming from the wound and called it an Angels glow. But after 139 year's scientists conducted various types of research and found out that this is because of a particular type of bacteria. This bacterium P. luminescens resides in a particular nematode. When these nematodes enter the wound of soldiers, they regurgitate the bacteria, which then consume other deadly microbes. This action gave off a greenish color.
Spontaneous Combustion - Forest fire is considered one of the natural calamities. There may be many reasons for spontaneous combustion, but one of the main reasons may be microbial action.
The microbes which are present under the soil or hay may produce a lot of heat, and this may raise the temperature and eventually may cause a fire. Now if there is more moisture content in leaves and other things, this will absorb more oxygen and hence will lead to more dangerous fires.
Interesting Facts
All the bacteria which are present in our body can weigh up to 4 pounds
There are more bacteria in a mouth of a person than the whole population of the world
Bacteria are the oldest microorganism in the world
There are more than 200 fungi in our foot
Fungi help plants to communicate with each other
Important Questions
1. Which type of microorganism is unusual?
Ans: Extremophiles are the most unusual types of microorganisms found in the most extreme environment. Archaeons especially live in the most unusual conditions.
2. What factors affect microbial activity?
Ans: Various factors affect microbial activity. Some of the factors are oxygen level, ph level, warmth, and moisture. These factors may increase or decrease microbial activity.
3. What are the four types of microbes?
Ans: There are various types of microbes. The most important are bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, prions, viroids, worms, etc.
Key Features
In this article, we have read about microbes and their usual as well as unusual activity
Microbes are microscopic organisms found almost everywhere. These organisms can thrive in very adverse conditions too.
There are various functions performed by microbes. These functions may be beneficial or harmful for humans.
Some of the beneficial functions are oxygen production, and the formation of various products through the process of fermentation such as yogurt, cheese, etc.
The harmful effects of microorganisms are that they can cause various diseases in humans as well as plants. They can cause very severe and fatal diseases in humans and also reduce yield by causing various diseases in plants.
Practice Questions
What is the most interesting microbe?
What are the harmful activities of microbes?
What does microbial mean?
Do all microbes cause disease?
What are the names of harmful microorganisms?
FAQs on Microbial Activities Explained: Definitions, Examples & Uses
1. What is meant by microbial activity?
Microbial activity refers to the sum of all life processes carried out by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These processes include metabolism, growth, reproduction, and interaction with the environment. These activities are responsible for crucial biochemical transformations, such as decomposition and fermentation, which have significant impacts on ecosystems, industry, and health.
2. What are some common examples of microbial activities in everyday life?
Microbial activities are integral to many everyday processes. Some common examples include:
Fermentation: The conversion of milk into yoghurt and cheese by Lactobacillus bacteria.
Baking: The use of yeast (a fungus) to make bread rise through the production of carbon dioxide.
Decomposition: The breakdown of dead organic matter in compost piles by various bacteria and fungi, recycling nutrients back into the soil.
Antibiotic Production: The creation of medicines like penicillin from the fungus Penicillium.
3. How do microbial activities contribute to soil fertility?
Microbes are essential for soil health and are often called 'nature's recyclers'. They enhance soil fertility primarily through two activities: decomposition and nitrogen fixation. Decomposers break down dead plants and animals, releasing vital nutrients into the soil for plants to absorb. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms like ammonia, which plants can use to grow. This natural fertilisation is a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture.
4. What is the importance of microbial activity in the food industry?
In the food industry, microbial activity is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is vital for producing a wide range of foods through fermentation, including bread, cheese, yoghurt, pickles, and alcoholic beverages. On the other hand, unwanted microbial activity is a primary cause of food spoilage, where microorganisms break down food, making it unsafe to eat and leading to significant waste. Therefore, understanding and controlling microbial activity is crucial for food production and preservation.
5. What are some examples of harmful microbial activities?
While many microbes are beneficial, some engage in harmful activities. The most significant is causing infectious diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Pathogenic microbes, or germs, can cause illnesses such as:
Tuberculosis, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
Ringworm, a common skin infection caused by a fungus.
Influenza, caused by the influenza virus.
Additionally, certain microbes cause food poisoning by producing toxins in contaminated food.
6. What key factors affect the rate of microbial activity?
The rate of microbial activity is influenced by several environmental factors. The most critical ones are temperature, pH, moisture, and nutrient availability. Most microbes have an optimal temperature and pH range for growth; outside this range, their metabolic activity slows down or stops. For example, refrigeration slows microbial growth to preserve food. Similarly, the presence of water and essential nutrients like carbon and nitrogen is necessary for their survival and activity.
7. How does the microbial activity in the human gut benefit our health?
The human gut is home to trillions of microbes whose activities are vital for our health. This 'gut microbiota' helps in digesting complex carbohydrates that our bodies cannot break down on their own. They also play a crucial role in synthesising essential vitamins like vitamin K and some B vitamins. Furthermore, these beneficial microbes help protect us from pathogens by competing for space and resources, thus supporting our immune system.
8. How does aerobic microbial activity differ from anaerobic microbial activity?
Aerobic and anaerobic microbial activities are distinguished by their dependence on oxygen. Aerobic activity requires oxygen for cellular respiration, a highly efficient process that completely breaks down nutrients to yield a large amount of energy. In contrast, anaerobic activity occurs in the absence of oxygen. It involves processes like fermentation, which only partially breaks down nutrients and yields far less energy, producing byproducts such as lactic acid, ethanol, or methane.
9. Why is controlling microbial activity so important in medicine and industry?
Controlling microbial activity is fundamental to modern life. In medicine, it is essential for preventing and treating infections through sterilisation of equipment, use of antiseptics, and production of antibiotics. In industry, control is vital for two reasons: to prevent spoilage of products like food and cosmetics, and to optimise the production of goods like biofuels, enzymes, and fermented foods. Techniques like pasteurisation, refrigeration, and the use of chemical preservatives are all methods to manage and direct microbial activity for human benefit.
