Harmful and Beneficial Microorganisms

First and Last Name

Doctors will prescribe penicillin to some patients if they are sick. Which argument BEST supports the claim that humans benefit from taking penicillin?

• Humans benefit from penicillin because it can be taken in a variety of ways.
• Humans benefit from penicillin because it is made out of living microorganisms.
• Humans benefit from penicillin because it treats infections by fighting harmful bacteria.
• Humans benefit from penicillin because there is a small amount of people allergic to the medicine.

Several students are in a study group learning about microorganisms. Each has their own concept about microorganisms. Which statement supports the correct argument with scientific evidence?

• Shayla is correct because only a very few microorganisms can make you sick. There are none that can help humans.
• Steve is correct. The beneficial microorganisms can help us digest food, create medicine, and make our food taste better.
• Andre is correct. Using hand sanitizer and antibacterial soap will kill all of the microorganisms making human healthier.
• Andre and Shayla are correct. While there is many microorganisms that can make humans sick, most serve no purpose.

Which scientific evidence supports the argument that some microorganisms are beneficial?

• Many diseases that cause people to become sick such as the flu, influenza, are caused by viruses.
• Lactobacillus, a type of bacteria, can be used to make common food that people eat such as cheese.
• Salmonella, a type of bacteria, can be found in undercooked chicken that causes people to get food poisoning.
• Algae that live in rivers, lakes, and streams can produce harmful poisons causing illnesses to animals that live in the contaminated water.

Read the information in the chart below. Which conclusion is BEST supported by the evidence in the chart?

• People must stay away from botox. It is a very harmful microorganism that can cause death.
• Humans should try to take as much botox as they can. It is a very helpful microorganism that helps to avoid headaches and looking wrinkled.
• Botox is a microorganism that is neither helpful nor harmful. It is commonly found on every surface.
• Doctors have learned how to use this harmful microorganism in a safe way so that its benefits outweigh the dangers of the microorganism.

A student observes her mother eating yogurt with Probiotics. She realizes that her mother is eating microorganisms. The student is wondering if her mother will get sick, so she does some research. Which statement has the BEST reason and evidence to give the student?

• Probiotics are microorganisms that are too small to be seen and can have no effect on the human body.
• Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast. All bacteria can make humans sick. Mother should not eat them.
• Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that live in the digestive organs. They can digest foods and keep the gut healthy. Her mother will not get sick.
• Probiotics make the yogurt taste better but they are microorganisms that can cause viruses and bacteria that can cause infections.

Which statement supports the argument that bacteria is beneficial?

• Bacteria can cause food to decay, which will cause people to get sick if eaten.
• Salmonella, a type of bacteria, lives in raw eggs and undercooked meat that will cause someone to get sick if eaten.
• Probiotics, a type of bacteria, can help to digestion in a person’s gut if eaten.
• E-Coli, a type of bacteria, can cause illness when contaminated water is consumed.

Which statement supports the argument that bacteria is harmful?

• Probiotics, a type of bacteria, is used to make yogurt and cheeses.
• Yeast, a type of fungus, is an ingredient to make bread so it rises in the oven.
• Salmonella, a type of bacteria, causes food poisoning, which makes people sick.
• Microorganisms eat the wastes and remains of old plants, which causes the plants to decay making the soil more fertile.

Read the information on the chart below. Which conclusion is BEST supported by the evidence in the chart?

• E-coli is a helpful bacteria that lives in animal’s stomachs.
• E-coli is neither helpful nor harmful since it does not impact the environment.
• E-coli is harmful at all times because it makes people and animals sick whenever this bacteria is present.
• E-coli can be harmless if found in the gut of animals, but it can be harmful to humans if it contaminates food or water.

Read the situation below. Which conclusion could she make using evidence from the situation?

• A helpful microorganism has caused the grapes to ripen since there are still grapes in the bag.
• A harmful microorganism has caused the grapes to decay, which could cause her to get sick if she eats it.
• A helpful microorganism has caused the grapes to develop fuzzy spots, which allowed the grapes to grow in size.
• A harmful microorganism has caused the grapes to decay, but she can put them in the fridge to reverse the spoilage.