Harmful Germs

Harmful Germs

Bacteria

• Bacteria can be harmful and beneficial…which we will get to later.

• Harmful bacteria, such as E. Coli and Salmonella can grow on meats, eggs, and raw foods. When ingested this bacteria makes you sick.

• You can protect yourself from harmful bacteria by cooking foods properly and keeping your kitchen and food-prep areas clean!

Viruses

• Viruses are harmful because they infect specific tissue in the body and cause disturbances in the organs, such as the flu virus, common cold, and chicken pox. Viruses reproduce by feeding on hosts and infecting other cells!

• Viruses can cause death and lead to other diseases.• Vaccinations help protect us from viruses.

We can also protect ourselves by washing our hands regularly and staying home when we are sick.

Fungi

• Some fungi can be harmful.• Fungi can rot food (mold) and make you sick. • Exposure to mold (such as in your home or

workplace) over a period of time can lead to breathing problems, disease, and even death.

• Fungi can also cause ring worm and athlete’s foot, which are both skin infections.

Protozoa

• Protozoa are harmful microbes that are primarily found in infested water.

• Protozoa cause diseases, such as malaria, which can lead to death.

• Protozoa can also cause Sleeping Sickness, which causes fever, headaches, and weird sleeping patterns.

Beneficial Microorganisms

Fungi

• Fungi can be harmful as well as beneficial. Review: How can fungi be harmful?• Fungi are decomposers. They break down decaying plants

and animals in the environment.• Yeast is a type of fungi that makes bread rise!• Fungi can take the form of edible mushrooms!• Fungi can be used to make antibiotics to help cure you when you’re sick.

TO YEAST OR NOT TO YEAST? That is the question.

Bacteria

• Bacteria can be harmful as well as beneficial. Review: How can bacteria be harmful?• Bacteria helps turn milk into yogurt and produces certain

types of cheeses.• Bacteria helps break down dead and decaying organisms.• Certain bacteria in our digestive systems help us break down our food.

Algae

• Green algae producesover 75% of the world’soxygen.• Some algae is used to make toothpaste.

Protozoa(Protist)

• Protozoa and bacteria cometogether to create phytoplankton.• Phytoplankton is the main food source for tiny fish

which makes it an important part of the food chain.• Without phytoplankton, there would be few fish

that we could eat.• Phytoplankton use photosynthesis to make their

own food and that releases oxygen that we breathe.