Microorganisms: Friend and Foe | Exercise Harmful microorganisms include fungi, bacteria, protozoa, etc. They cause several diseases in human beings, animals, and plants which can even lead to death. The harmful microorganisms not only damage the human body but also the food we eat.

Microorganisms or microbes are microscopic organisms that exist as unicellular, multicellular, or cell clusters. Microorganims are widespread in nature and are beneficial to life, but some can cause serious harm. They can be divided into six major types: bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, algae, and viruses.

Harmful Microorganisms examples: Escherichia coli O157:H7, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Streptococcus mutans, Salmonella enteric and Chlamydophila pneumonia. Useful Microorganisms include: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus oryzae, L. plantarum, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Corynebacteria.

Making delicious foods The lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, are used in making fermented milk products. Buttermilk, sour cream, cheese, and yogurt are made by letting these bacteria ferment milk to different degrees. Microorganisms are also responsible for the pickling process.

Microbes cause infectious diseases such as flu and measles. There is also strong evidence that microbes may contribute to many non–infectious chronic diseases such as some forms of cancer and coronary heart disease. Different diseases are caused by different types of micro-organisms.

Dead plant residues and plant nutrients become food for the microbes in the soil. Soil organic matter (SOM) is basically all the organic substances (anything with carbon) in the soil, both living and dead.

How to Encourage Beneficial Microorganisms in Your Garden

1. Add compost to your garden. Because carbon is the primary energy source for microorganisms, they need lots of organic matter to thrive.
2. Plant in cover crops.
3. Keep your soil well watered.
4. Avoid physical disturbances.
5. Mulch your beds.
6. Avoid pesticides.

Whip Up Your Own Probiotics. It’s entirely possible to brew your own garden microbes using a few simple materials. All you need is a jar, some molasses, a little water and some dirt. Homebrewed microbial mix can be spray directly onto plant foliage or diluted in water to increase its volume.

That is why these are called microorganisms or microbes. Microorganisms are classified into four major groups. These groups are bacteria, fungi, protozoa and some algae. Some of these common microorganisms are shown in Figs.

microbes