1. 1.4 Microorganisms

2. Goals
Microorganisms are living things too small to see with just our eyes.
We can use microscopes to see them.
They are often made of one cell, but can be simple multi-celled organisms.
They can be producers, herbivores, carnivores, or decomposers.

6. Main types
Bacteria are some of the smallest microorganisms and can be helpful or harmful.
Protists are also helpful or harmful, but are larger than bacteria.
Because they are larger, they can often contain special structures for jobs and processes that bacteria do not.

7. ALGAE
AMOEBA

8. EUGLENA

9. Producers and consumers
Algae are protists in water that carry out photosynthesis. Are they producers or consumers?
Amoeba changes its body shape to move and surround food. Is it a producer or consumer?
Euglena have a tail to move, but can also perform photosynthesis during daylight.

10. MOLD

11. FUNGI

12. End of the road Many microorganisms also act as decomposers.
Fungi grow on plants such as trees that fall down.
Mold is a specific type of fungi that can grow on wood and even bread.
Bacteria also break down different nutrients from decaying matter.

13. Let’s get specific Tooth bacteria – tooth decay
Bacteria in ticks – Lyme disease
Amoeba-like protists - dysentery
Protist in mosquitoes - malaria
Salmonella bacteria – food poisoning

14. But…