Introduction to Microorganisms

According to the passage, what are microorganisms?

• Organisms that we cannot see and are often only one cell big.

• Large visible organisms

• Organisms that can be seen with the naked eye

• Multicellular organisms

Explain the difference between unicellular and multicellular microorganisms as described in the passage.

• Unicellular microorganisms are only one cell big, while multicellular microorganisms consist of more than one cell but still require special microscopes to see them.

• Unicellular microorganisms are made up of many cells, while multicellular microorganisms are made up of only one cell.

• Both unicellular and multicellular microorganisms are visible to the naked eye.

• Multicellular microorganisms are only one cell big, while unicellular microorganisms consist of more than one cell.

Strategic Thinking: Based on the passage, most microorganisms are considered beneficial to both humans and the environment because:

• They help in nutrient recycling and support human health.

• They cause diseases in humans and animals.

• They pollute the environment and destroy crops.

• They have no impact on humans or the environment.

According to the passage, what are the two main groups all living organisms can be divided into based on their cell structure?

• Prokaryotes and eukaryotes

• Plants and animals

• Vertebrates and invertebrates

• Bacteria and fungi

Scientists classify all organisms into five kingdoms. Match each kingdom to whether it is prokaryotic or eukaryotic.

• Prokaryotic

• Eukaryotic

Strategic Thinking: Explain why prokaryotes are considered to have come before eukaryotes, based on the information in the passage.

• Prokaryotes are simpler and lack a nucleus, suggesting they evolved before eukaryotes.

• Eukaryotes are simpler and lack a nucleus, suggesting they evolved before prokaryotes.

• Prokaryotes have complex organelles, indicating they evolved after eukaryotes.

• Eukaryotes appeared first because they are found in older fossils.

According to the passage, are viruses classified as one of the 5 kingdoms of living organisms?

• Yes

• No

What is the typical size range of viruses as mentioned in the passage? Fill in the blank.

• 20-300

• 1000-5000

• 1-10

• 500-1000

List two shapes that viruses can have according to the passage.

• Rod-shaped and spherical

• Triangular and hexagonal

• Square and rectangular

• Star-shaped and oval

Strategic Thinking: The passage mentions an ongoing debate about whether viruses are considered living or non-living. Based on the information provided, viruses are not classified as living organisms because:

• They cannot carry out metabolic processes on their own.

• They have a cellular structure like living organisms.

• They reproduce independently without a host.

• They can survive without any external support.