Microorganisms: structure, evidence and roles
≈ 48 minMicroorganisms: structure, evidence and roles
Microorganisms are not one biological group. Bacteria are cellular prokaryotes; protists and fungi are eukaryotic; viruses are acellular and reproduce only inside host cells. A useful classification compares cell type, genetic material, nutrition and reproduction. Do not classify an organism as simply helpful or harmful: the same broad group can include decomposers, food producers, pathogens and mutualists.
Work it through
A yoghurt culture is bacterial and cellular; it has its own metabolism and reproduces by cell division. A flu particle has genetic material but no cellular machinery, so it must use a host cell. The evidence, not its effect on people, separates the two.
Mastery target
Use two structural features and one life-process feature to justify a classification.
Which observation is strongest evidence that an organism is a bacterium rather than a virus?
Name the key biological term from Microorganisms: structure, evidence and roles: enter the term that best fits the explanation and visual model.
A sample breaks down dead leaves and releases mineral ions into soil. Which ecological role is most defensible?
Which statement corrects a common misunderstanding in Microorganisms: structure, evidence and roles?