Microorganisms Micro means very very small Organism means

Micro-organisms Micro means very, very small. Organism means a living thing. So MICRO-ORGANISMS are extremely small living things.

Common colds are spread by micro-organisms called VIRUSES. When fruit goes off and mould starts growing on it, the mould is millions of micro-organisms. After a while food will ‘go off’ and begin to smell. The smell is caused by bacteria feeding off the rotting food.

The Common Cold A VIRUS is a MICRO-ORGANISM that can make people ill. The most common virus is the common cold virus. To see the common cold virus you would need a very powerful microscope. The common cold virus magnified many thousands of times. The common cold virus INFECTS our bodies, it makes us feel ill. Sore throat, blocked nose, coughing, aches and sweats are all symptoms of a cold. The common cold virus is spread from person to person through the air. Sneezing with no handkerchief spreads the cold virus to other people. Using a handkerchief catches the water droplets and hence viruses and reduces the chance of spreading infection.

Other Common Illnesses Caused by Viruses Measles begins with mild symptoms for a few days before a skin rash begins to develop. Measles can be spread from person to person by touch and breath. Mumps is an infection caused by a virus and can cause fever, headaches, swelling and tenderness of glands in one or both sides of the neck, running nose and eyes and sore throat and ears. Chicken pox usually begins with cold-like symptoms and fever, followed by a rash. The rash may appear anywhere and quickly spreads (within hours) to cover the entire body. The spots look like small blisters filled with clear fluid.

Moulds like to grow in warm damp places. Moulds produces SPORES that travel in the air and are blown by the wind. Mould growing on bread. Mould growing in a damp bathroom. Mould growing on a damp wooden ceiling. Mould growing on oranges. Warning! Many moulds can be poisonous and make us ill if we eat them.

Bacteria Like viruses, you would need a powerful microscope to see BACTERIA. Food bacteria as viewed under a powerful microscope. Bacteria travel through the air. They can also be spread by touch. We are told to wash our hands when we go to the toilet or when we handle food so that we reduce the chances of spreading harmful bacteria (germs). We get food poisoning and stomach upsets from harmful bacteria. When food begins to go off, the smell is caused by the bacteria in the food. Cooking food can kill harmful bacteria. Chicken is a notorious source of food poisoning because people do not always cook it thoroughly. In some cases food poisoning can kill.