MICROORGANISMS

A microorganism is a living being that is too small for the human eye to see. Bacteria, fungi, archaea, protozoa, and minute animals, such as the dust mite, are examples of microorganisms. Almost ubiquitously on earth, microorganisms exist where there is freshwater or even a slight amount of moisture, from hot springs on the ocean bottom, deep inside rocks inside the surface of the earth, on human skin, and, inside a sponge used to wash dishes. For nutrient recovery in habitats, certain microorganisms are important because they act as decomposers, while others living in nodules on the roots of certain plants turn nitrogen from the environment into a plant-usable shape. Under good growing conditions, micro-organisms reproduce quickly, often leading to the gain of the greater host plant or animal organism and living in a balanced dynamic equilibrium with other micro-organisms and the host organism. However, at times, pathogenic microbes can invade larger species, overrule the defenses of that organism, and cause disease. Microorganisms are essential to humans and the environment because they are active in the elementary processes of the Earth, such as the cycle of carbon and nitrogen, as well as performing other vital functions in nearly all environments, such as food chains and decomposition. A variety of various prokaryotes, including bacteria, conduct nitrogen fixation naturally. Microbes also make up a significant majority of the biomass of the Planet and are therefore essential for food chains. Microbes supply oxygen, and in the decomposition of dead plants and animals, bacteria are essential and release their nutrients for reuse. Microscopic spores can stain carpets in our houses, and algae can thrive on the paint on the walls, making it impossible and expensive to clean. It is difficult to see them developing until they are big enough for the naked eye because of their microscopic scale. Mold on garments and footwear that has not been worn in a long time is often common to find. This arises in wet environments in particular. Microbes are food spoilage agents. Causing food to go bad in proper storage when exposed or not stored. As a consequence, unknowingly, they can cause food poisoning for individuals who eat this food. High temperatures could be needed to get rid of microbes or very low temperatures that will slowly kill them off. Microorganisms play two important functions in the environment: one is an increase in soil fertility and another is cleaning. Rhizobium, Azotobacter and, Clostridium are only a few examples of nitrogen-fixing bacteria that play a primary role in turning atmospheric nitrogen into inorganic compounds that are later used by plants. The vast majority of the nitrogen contained in the atmosphere becomes unusable without this operation. Microorganisms serve as cleaners as well. Eventually, plants and animals die and their bodies are converted into nutrients and can be used by the environment.