MICROBES What is a Microbe Microbe A living

MICROBES!

What is a Microbe? �Microbe – A living organism that is so small that it can only be seen with a microscope. They are usually Unicellular (contains only one cell) Have many different shapes Carry out their life functions in a wide variety of ways Live in every type of environment on Earth.

Types of Microbes � 1. Bacteria – single-celled organisms that have no nucleus. Rod-shaped Some are harmful and cause disease. Others are helpful and do things like cure diseases and break down decaying material. http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=tq. OVYpk. Z 0 qs

� 2. Virus – non-living substance that has to insert its genetic material into a living host cell in order to reproduce. Cause disease Much smaller than bacteria. http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Rpj 0 em. EGS h. Q

� 3. Paramecium – a single- celled organism that has a nucleus and is covered in tiny hair-like strands called cilia. It is shaped like this: -- The cilia allow the paramecium to move by pulsing in wave-like motions.

� 4. Euglena – a single-celled organism that lives in aquatic environments and moves using a whip-like tail, called a flagellum. They are shaped like this: -- They can produce their own food like plants or they can eat food like animals.

� 4. Amoeba – a single- celled organism that moves by using a false foot, called a pseudopod. Amoeba are shaped like this: --- They capture food by engulfing (surrounding) it. http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=pv. Oz 4 V 699 gk

�Volvox – a single-celled freshwater algae that lives in colonies. A single volvox is shaped like this: - Move by using a whip-like tail, called a flagellum. Since they are in the plant family, they make their own food.