Micro-organisms and diseases

Some micro organisms are used to make dairy products and beer
Micro organisms come in 4 main types-viruses, bacteria, protozoa and fungi
1. Viruses are the smallest micro organisms and are responsible for diseases such as chickenpox and measles
2. Bacteria are single celled, and need food, warmth and moisture to survive. They can multiply rapidly and are responsible for diseases such as whooping cough and pneumonia
3. Protozoa are quite large and absorb nutrients from their surroundings. They cause malaria for one
4. Fungi are the largest micro organisms and are sometimes used to make food and beer. They cause diseases like athletes foot and ringworm
Bacteria and fungi also make food decay using substances they produce called enzymes
1. The micro organisms also produce toxins which cause food poisioning
  1. The most dangerous bacteria that cause food poisioning are E. coli, Salmonella and Clostridium botulinium
They are used to treat sewage, make dairy products, produce antibiotics, make alcohol and make bread
Protection from diseases caused by micro organisms involves the immune system
1. Our body detects threats and when it defeats them, it learns. This means that if we ever get attacked by the same thing again, we will be immune to it.
2. To help us become immune to deadly diseases, the commonly used method is to get vaccinated. This is where we are injected with a dead form of the disease, so that our body can 'defeat it' and learn

Resource summary

	Created by buttsaggington over 11 years ago