Question

What are the major groups of microorganisms?

Answer 1

Microbes:

1. Microbes are the organisms which are not visible by naked eyes and can only be visualized under electron microscope.
2. Existence of microbes is diverse and therefore can be found everywhere from hot springs to the coldest glaciers.
3. These are also found in the houses, food materials and in the living beings.
4. Some of them are infectious and cause disease while others are beneficial.

Major groups of microorganisms:

1. Bacteria
   • Bacteria are the single-celled microbes which are heterotrophic in nature.
   • Bacteria help in food preparation and fermentation.
   • Bacteria differ in shapes- spherical, curved etc.
   • Examples- Salmonella, Pseudomonas
2. Fungi
   • Fungi are non-green multicellular plant-like organisms.
   • Fungi are heterotrophic in nature and therefore can't prepare their own food.
   • Examples- Yeast and Mushrooms
3. Protozoa
   • Protozoa is a microscopic eukaryotic organism which can be unicellular or multicellular.
   • Protozoan are animal-like organisms and are motile.
   • Examples- Amoeba, Paramecium
4. Algae
   • Algae are simple plant-like organisms.
   • Algae have chlorophyll and can produce their own food.
   • Examples- Nostoc, Spirogyra