In the living world there are beings of all kinds, of which those that are visible to the naked eye are well known, such as large and small animals, invertebrate animals, plant organisms or insects, but there are other organisms that are not visible to simple view but that well between us: microorganisms.
In this ecology article, we will focus on the latter and, with simple explanations, we will find out What are microorganisms, their classification, characteristics and types.
What are microorganisms and their characteristics
The microorganisms are Little living beings whose study is in charge Microbiology. In this other ecology article, we explain everything about environmental microbiology: definition and importance.
In fact, they are so small that they cannot be seen by the human eye and a microscope to visualize them and study them. The structure of microorganisms is very simple and houses beneficial, pathogenic and others that vary according to the circumstances, but we will deal with these details later.
Within Microorganisms There are unicellular and multicellular species, both prokaryotes (such as bacteria) and eukaryotes (such as protozoa or fungi). They also include ultramicroscopic beingsonly visible with microscopes such as electronic, such as viruses.
Among the General characteristics of microorganisms We highlight:
- Its food and survival requires nutrients such as proteins or carbohydrates.
- For their development they need water, although the amount varies between microorganisms. Thus, for example, bacteria require less water than molds or fungi.
- Microorganisms usually have narrow temperature ranges in which they develop optimally and vary from some groups to another, but the vast majority develop between 30 and 50 degrees.
- Bacteria may require oxygen to survive (strict aerobes), its complete absence (anaerobes) or tolerate oxygen (optional anaerobes). Fungi and other eukaryotic microorganisms are usually aerobic.
- As with the temperature, the ranges that tolerate pH are usually narrow. In this sense, we differentiate acidophilic microorganisms (acid environment), neutral or alkalophils (alkaline environments).
- The time they require for their development and growth depends on the type of microorganism and that conditions are more or less optimal. Thus, we differentiate, microorganisms of slow growth and rapid growth.
Classification of microorganisms
Can classify microorganisms In four large groups:
Bacteria
It’s about unicellular microorganismsthat is, they have a single cell and an un organized genetic material inside a nucleus. They are reproduced by bipartition and are able to donate and receive genetic material through transformation, transduction or conjugation. There are several bacterial forms, being able to be rounded (coconuts), in the form of propeller (spratrils) or small and curved (vibrios).
Discover more about them in this other Ecology post about the types of bacteria.
Virus
It’s about aceular ways which are usually formed by a protein capsid with or without wrapping and a DNA or RNA molecule (never both). They are forced parasitic microorganisms, that is, they need to infect a cell (animal or vegetable) to be able to reproduce and survive. Depending on the shape of their capsid they can be icosahedrals (more or less rounded form) or cylindrical. There are also virus with more complex structure and that have a head and a tail. Viruses can kill the cell they infect or use it as a reservoir, waiting for the right conditions to free themselves.
Fungus
It’s about Unicellular or multicellular eukaryotic microorganisms. They reproduce by geming, that is, the parent issues a bump that is growing until it is prepared to separate. They can also be reproduced by sporulation or breakage in fragments. They can be yeasts (unicellular) or fungi with hyphae (multicellular).
Parasites
The parasites are The protozoa like amoebas and helminths and worms. It’s about eukaryotic organisms. They differ in the fact that protozoa are unicellular and helminths and worms are multicellular. Parasites are not usually classified as microorganisms, but often microbiology is studied together with parasitology.
Types of microorganisms
There are other more complex classifications of microorganisms, which take into account the immunity and danger they suppose for the body. Thus, these are the Types of microorganisms According to this criterion:
Beneficial microorganisms
These are microorganisms that produce benefits for the human being, either being part of The microbiota of the human being or through the production of products of interest to human beings such as cheese, beer, antibiotics, yogurt or bread. Although it seems that microorganisms are bad, most of them are beneficial, and some bacteria and fungi are included in this group (we except viruses).
The microbiota of the human being is essential for the survival and well -being of the organism. Thus, they perform functions such as protection against infections or the contribution to digestion processes.
Pathogenic microorganisms
We include in this group those microorganisms that are capable of producing diseases In their guests and can be both viruses and bacteria or fungi. Their mechanism is to infect cells, reproduce in them and kill them or damage them and produce diseases. Bacteria are also able to produce toxins that cause damage. They are fought with antimicrobials, which can be antibiotics for bacteria, antivirals for viruses and antifungals or antimicotics for fungi. The degree of pathogenicity of a microorganism depends on the immune state of the infected person.
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