Microorganisms

What is a microorganism?

• A nonliving thing that is harmful to the Earth

• A living thing that is too big to fit under a microscope

• An organism that is too small to be seen with the unaided eye

Which is a way that a microorganism can be helpful?

• Yeast making bread rise

• Catching the common cold

• Fungus causing wood to rot

What is a way that a microorganism can be harmful?

• Fungus decomposing dead animals

• Bacteria helping food digest

• Mold growing on food kept out of the refrigerator

Which of the following is caused by harmful microorganisms?

• Yogurt

• Strep Throat

• Decaying Plants

Bacteria can be helpful and harmful

• True

• False

How can you protect yourself from harmful microorganisms?

• Washing your hands often

• Sharing food with someone who is sick

• Keeping cooked food out overnight

What would be an effect from all helpful microorganisms disappearing?

• New microorganisms would be discovered

• Many important medicines would no longer be able to be created

• Decomposing fungus would work even faster

Which is one way to prevent harmful microorganisms from growing on food?

• Keeping it on the counter

• Covering it with plastic wrap

• Putting it in the freezer

How is fungus helpful to the Earth?

• Fungus decomposes dead plants and animals

• Fungus helps digest food

• Fungus will grow on old food

What three ways are bacteria shaped?

• curls, lines, circles

• rods, spirals, balls

• spirals, triangles, squares