Learning Objectives: That microorganisms have an important role in decay That microorganisms have potential benefits to the environment. Investigate how microorganisms can break down waste, clean up pollution and help produce bio-fuels

‘ What are microbes useful for?’ As a class, write down as many ideas as possible on this slide. No judgement are to be made About the answers given until all ideas from the class are in and discussions take place As a class, write down as many ideas as possible on this slide. No judgement are to be made About the answers given until all ideas from the class are in and discussions take place

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What goes into your compost? Banana peelings Egg shells Tea bags Potato peelings Old vegetables Garden waste How microorganisms are involved in decay

 This type of waste is biodegradable which means it can be broken down into simpler substances by decomposing microbes and other life forms such as worms.  Microbes carry out respiration and so get their energy from this waste. They need this energy to grow, the by- product is compost.  Compost is great for the garden as it provides the soil with essential nutrients and improves the structure of the soil.

 Composting reduces the amount of waste put into landfill sites.  Kitchen and garden waste buried in landfill sites cannot rot properly due to the lack of Oxygen.  The site will start to smell and due to the anaerobic conditions that develop, a mixture of microbes break down the organic matter giving off methane and carbon dioxide. Methane is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming

How microorganisms contribute to the breakdown of waste All that goes down your toilet normally ends up at a sewage works Firstly, sewage is sieved to get rid of solid items like toothbrushes! It is then sent to aeration tanks It then sinks to the bottom and forms a ‘soup’ at the top Air is bubbled in and the good bacteria multiply digesting the harmful bacteria The sludge left at the bottom is heated up…

Hmmm… why is it that plastic bags take so long to break down? If it is bacteria that break down the bag, why is it we can’t isolate the bacteria and encourage them to grow in larger quantities? That’s a good point! Discuss with your partner what you think would be needed for the bacteria to grow in large numbers.

It’s true! A 16 year old student came up with the idea behind us plastic degrading microbes! He put together some household items to make a medium for the bacteria to grow in. After tests to isolate the bacteria, he encouraged us to multiply and provided us with strips of plastic bags to break down! It only took us 6 weeks!

I have discovered microbes that… Can you come up with any ideas as to what might be important uses for microbes for the future?

Produce a leaflet or poster explaining the advantages and disadvantages of the use of microorganisms for bio-fuels. Remember to use more than two sources of information to improve the reliability of your work

Discuss with your partner: That microorganisms have an important role in decay… That microorganisms have potential benefits to the environment… That microorganisms can break down waste, clean up pollution and can help produce biofuels… Learning outcomes

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