1. Research at least 3 beneficial aspects of microorganisms (i.e. how microbes a
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Question
1. Research at least 3 beneficial aspects of microorganisms (i.e. how microbes are extremely helpful for humans and the environment) and discuss each of these, in detail. Mention the specific names of bacteria involved (Genus and species) in these processes. Please be sure that you choose 3 different beneficial aspects of microbes. For example, if you choose ‘food production’, then your 3 topics cannot be yogurt, beer, and fermented foods. This is only 1 topic ….’food’. Please be in touch if you have a question on this. 2. Choose one beneficial aspect that you find most interesting. - discuss why you think this is most interesting - discuss what you think would be very interesting future developments in this particular area of Microbiology.
Explanation / Answer
Problem.1) 3 beneficial aspect of microorganism.
ans. 1) Microorganism in food: Productuion of many food became possible with help of the microorganism. they necessary when making products like bread, beer and cheese, yogurt etc.The micro-organisms occurring on and in foods are divided into three groups: bacteria, yeast and molds. Molds are generally concerned in the food spoilage; their use in the food industry is limited.Yeasts are the most widely used microbes in the food industry due to their ability to ferment sugars to ethanol and carbon-dioxide. Some types of yeast, like baker’s yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiaes ) are grown industrially, and some may be used as protein sources, mainly in animal feed. Bacteria are important in food microbiology may be divided into groups according to the fermentation product, e.g. lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus), propionic acid bacteria(Propionobacterium shermanii), acetic acid bacteria (Acetobacter oxydans).
2) Micro organism in Agriculture: Microorganism plays very important role in agriculture because the soil microbes (bacteria and fungi) are essential for decomposing organic matter and recycling old plant material. Some soil bacteria and fungi form relationships with plant roots that provide important nutrients like nitrogen or phosphorus. Microorganisms play an important role in the decomposition of organic matter for eg., staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus saprophyticus, candida albicans. Soil microbes play a crucial role in returning nutrients to their mineral forms, which plants can take up again. This process is known as mineralization. Nostoc commune, Synechococcus elongatus etc are example.Agriculture depends heavily on the ability of certain microbes (mainly bacteria) to convert atmospheric nitrogen(N2 gas) to ammonia (NH3). Some live freely in the soil (Azotobacter chroococcum), while others live in association with plant roots the classic example is Rhizobiumbacteria (rhizobium leguminosarum) in the roots of legumes. The process of conversion is known as nitrogen fixation. Biological nitrogen fixation contributes about 60% of the nitrogen fixed on Earth. In contrast, manufactured fertilisers contribute 25%.
3) microorganism in medicine: Biotechnology is the use of plants, animals and microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, to produce medicines, vaccines and to develop disease testing techniques.
Antibiotics:Antibiotics are natural substances that can be used to fight bacterial infections. They are produced and secreted naturally by bacteria and fungi. Different biotechnological techniques are used to produce antibiotics in pure forms and large quantities so they can be used for treating bacterial infections. first antibiotic was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1929 called penicillin from Penicillium notatum.
Vaccine:Pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria and viruses, can make people sick by destroying body cells or by releasing harmful toxins that destroy body cells. When these same pathogens are 'served' to humans in the form of a vaccine, they can help the body to develop immunity against them. A vaccine is a mixture of dead or weakened pathogens used to induce the formation of antibodies against this pathogen.example of microorganisms use in vaccine are varicella zoster, rotavirus, hepatitis b etc.
problem 2). choose one beneficial aspect most interesting
ans: Microorganism in the agriculture find most interesting according to me. the main reason for this is over use of the chemical fertilizer and pesticide harming the soil fertility. it changes the soil composition in term of the fertility as well as effect the microbial community. The alternation of chemical fertilizer with the microorganisms will help soil to be fertile as well harmfull effect of chemicals can be ruled out. Biofertilizers and biopesticides are cheap and effective compare to chemicals.They act as conditioners of the soil so over the time of use even more than 10 to 15 years soil quality will be improve instead of decreas in chemicals use. These characteres make it important to agricuture. when we look for future development we must think of use of the biotechnology. some bacteria are known to produce gelly like polysachharide which has the capacity to hold the water. worlds many parts are facing low rain problem or less water availibility for agriculture. we can engineer bacteria that can secret polysachharide extracellular which might have the capacity of holding water for the long time in the soil.
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