Please Note:

Notes are for quick recapitulation only.

WRITE Date,chapter number and chapter name clearly on bold alphabets

Draw a margin after each answer

Write excercise work in the red notebook (one side ruled)

All diagrams and ncert activities to be written on the blank pages.

Revision Notes on Microorganisms: Friend and Foe

Quick Revision:
What are Microbes?
Microbes or microorganisms are tiny
organisms which are so small that we
cannot see them with an unaided eye.
Some microorganisms can be seen
with the help of a magnifying glass
(such as fungus that grows on bread)
while some can only be seen when
you use a microscope (such as
bacteria and protozoa).
Microorganism were first observed by
Anton Van Leeuwenhoek.
Viral, Bacterial, and Protozoan
Diseases
Causes Diseases
Common
Ailments: Cold,
Cough, and Influenza
Viruses (or Flu)
Serious
Diseases: Polio,
Chicken Pox,
Measles etc
Typhoid and
Bacteria Tuberculosis (TB)
etc
Protozoans Dysentery and
Malaria etc
Table 1: Microbial Diseases
Microorganisms
There are four major types of microorganisms:

Fig 1: Types of Microorganisms

• Bacteria: These are single-celled organisms with a rigid cell
wall. They can only be seen under a microscope which enlarges
images from 100 to 1000 times.

Fig 2: Ultrastructure of a Bacterial Cell

Types of Bacteria (based on their Shapes) and their Examples
Shape of
Example Image
Bacteria

Comma-
Vibrio
shaped
Cholerae
Bacteria

Fig 3: Vibrio Cholera

Spherical-
Staphylococcus
shaped
and
Bacteria
Streptococcus
(Cocci)

Fig 3: Streptococcus

Rod-
shaped E.coli and
Bacteria Salmonella
(Bacilli)
Fig 4: Salmonella

Spiral-
shaped Treponema
Bacteria and Borrelia
(Spirilla)

Fig 5: Borrelia

Table 2: Shapes of Bacteria (with Examples)

• Fungi: These are non-green plants and hence, cannot make
their own food. They either live as parasites (deriving nutrition
from host organisms, for example, Puccinia which causes wheat
leaf rust) or grow on the organic matter (such as bread mould).
 Fig 7: Puccinia triticina

Fig 8: Bread Mould

Fungi, like mushrooms, moulds, mildews, and years, are eukaryotic. It
means that they have a true nucleus.
The main components of fungi are:
i. Hyphae: They are thread-like filaments which penetrate into
substrates, secrete enzymes to break down nutrients into smaller
molecules, and absorb them.
 ii. Spores are a unit of sexual or asexual reproduction. They can
adapt for dispersal and survival for extended periods of time in
unfavourable conditions.
• Algae : These are simple plant- like organisms which are
usually aquatic in nature. They contain a cell wall and
chlorophyll and can make their own food by
photosynthesis.Algae can be unicellular or multicellular. Some of
the common examples are diatoms, Chlamydomonas, and
seaweed.
• Protozoa: Protozoa are unicellular are organisms. Some of
them live independently while others live as parasites. Many of
the parasitic protozoans cause diseases in plants, domestic
animals, and human beings. Example of some protozoans
are Amoeba, Plasmodium and Paramecium

Fig 9: Paramecium
How are Viruses different from other microbes?
Viruses are microscopic organisms but they are different from other
microbes because they reproduce only inside the cells of the host
organism (which can be a plant, animal, or a bacterium).
 Fig 10: Types of Viruses
Viruses are much smaller than bacteria and come in a wide variety of
shapes and sizes. A complete virus particle is known as Virion.
Virion consists of a nucleic acid surrounded by 'capsid'. Capsid is a
protective coat made of protein. The subunits of this protein called
'Capsomeres'. Viruses can be seen only by an electron microscope as
they are ultramicroscopic in size.
Outside the body of a living organism, they do not show any reaction
and hence, can be crystallized and stored like non-living things.
Where do Microorganisms Live?
Microbes can survive in all kinds of environments – from icy cold
climates to hot springs (any kind of temperature); and deserts to marshy
lands (any humidity level). Some live independently while others live as
parasites – inside the bodies of other organisms (including animals and
human beings).
Microorganisms and Us
Some microorganisms are beneficial to us while others are harmful and
cause diseases.
How are bacteria useful to us?

Bacteria are helpful because:

• It decomposes organic wastes (such as vegetable peels, animal
remains, and faeces etc.).
• It is used in the preparation of medicines.
• It increases soil fertility by fixing nitrogen.
 • It is used in the setting of curd and making cheese, pickles, and
other food items.
How is yeast useful to us?

Yeast is used in the baking industry (to

make bread, pastries, and cakes) because it helps in fermentation. It
reproduces rapidly and produces carbon dioxide during respiration.
Bubbles of the carbon-dioxide gas it produces fill the spaces in the
dough and increases its volume.
It is also used in the commercial production of alcohol and wine which is
done by growing yeast on natural sugars present in fruit juices and
grains like rice, wheat, and barley.
Antibiotics
What are Antibiotics? What are their uses?
Antibiotics are medicines that can kill or stop the growth of disease-
causing microorganisms. For Example, Penicillin.

Antibiotics are used to:

• Cure a variety of diseases (such as streptomycin, erythromycin,
and tetracycline that are made from bacteria and fungi),
• Cure microbial infection in animals (by mixing antibiotics with the
feed of livestock and poultry), and
• Control several plant diseases.
What precautions should be followed while taking antibiotics and
why?
Antibiotics should be taken only on the advice of the doctor, and one
must complete the course the doctor prescribes.
Antibiotics taken in wrong doses may make the body resistant to the
drug and it may not be effective in the future. Moreover, antibiotics may
also kill the beneficial bacteria in the body.
Please Note: Antibiotics cannot cure cold and flu caused by viruses.
Vaccines

Some Definitions to Remember:

Pathogens: Disease-causing
microbes are called Pathogens.
Antibodies: Antibodies are
substances our body produces to fight
disease-causing microbes.
Vaccines: Vaccines are weakened or
dead disease-causing microbes that
are injected in our body to trigger the
production of antibodies. These
antibodies remain in the body for a
long time to protect it against any
attack of disease-causing microbes.
Vaccination: The process of
protecting the body from pathogens
with the help of vaccines is
called Vaccination.

Name some of the diseases which can be prevented by vaccines

 Some of the diseases that can
be prevented by vaccination are:
• Cholera,
• Hepatitis,
• Smallpox, and
• Tuberculosis.
One can get necessary vaccines from nearby hospitals.
How do microbes clean up the environment?
Microbes or microorganisms decompose organic waste and dead
remains of plants and animals and convert them into simpler substances
(which can again be used by other plants and animals) by the process of
biodegradation. Thus, they help us in getting rid of harmful and smelly
substances and clean up the environment.
Harmful Microorganisms
Some Definitions to Remember:
Communicable Diseases: These are
microbial diseases (diseases caused
by microbes) that spread from one
infected person to a healthy person
through air, water, food or physical
contact, such as cholera, chicken pox,
common cold and tuberculosis.
Carriers: Insects and animals that
carry disease-causing microbes and
transfer them from one place to other
are called carriers or vectors, such as
house flies and mosquitoes.

How do houseflies transfer pathogens?

A housefly may sit on the garbage and animal excreta and the
pathogens stick to their body. When they sit on uncovered food, these
pathogens get transferred to the food. When someone eats this
contaminated food, he or she may fall sick.
To avoid this, we must keep the food covered.
Name the carriers of:
Malaria

Female Anopheles mosquito (carries the parasite of malaria

called Plasmodium)
Dengue

Female Aedes mosquito (carries the dengue virus called Flavivirus)

Common Diseases and their Modes of Transmission

How to prevent diseases that spread through air or contact?

To prevent diseases that spread through the air, keep the patient in
complete isolation and keep his or her personal belongings away from
others. Vaccination at the suitable age can prevent the onset of
tuberculosis, chicken pox, polio, and measles.
How to prevent diseases that spread through water or food?
To prevent the spread of polio, cholera, typhoid and hepatitis A,
vaccination is effective. One should also maintain personal hygiene and
good sanitary habits and drink boiled drinking water.
One should also eat properly cooked food to avoid diseases like cholera.
How to prevent diseases that spread through mosquitoes?
We can stop the spreading of diseases caused by mosquitoes (such as
malaria and dengue) by not allowing the mosquitoes to breed. We
should keep our surroundings clean and dry, and not let water collect
anywhere - in coolers, tyres, and flower pots etc.
We should also spray insecticides and use mosquito repellents and
mosquito nets to protect ourselves from mosquito bites.
Common Diseases and the Microorganisms that cause them
Diseases Caused by Microorganisms in Animals

Anthrax: A dangerous disease that

affects human and cattle is caused by a bacterium called Bacillus
Anthracis.
Foot and mouth disease in Cattle: It is caused by a virus called Foot-
and-mouth-disease Virus (FMDV) or Picornavirus.
Diseases Caused by Microorganisms in Plants
Microorganisms can cause diseases in plants and reduce crop yield.
Some of the plants in which they cause diseases are:

The plants can be protected by using chemicals that kill these microbes.
Common Diseases in Plants caused by Microbes
Citrus Canker is caused by Bacteria and spreads through Air.
Rust of Wheat is caused by Fungi and spreads through Air or Seeds.
Yellow Vein Mosaic of Okra (Bhindi) is caused by Virus and spreads
through Insects.
Food Preservation
Why do we need to preserve food?
We need to preserve food because microorganisms that grow on food
can sometimes produce toxic substances which are poisonous to us. If
we consume this spoilt food, we can become seriously ill or die. Hence,
we need to preserve food from being spoilt.
Common Methods of preserving food are:

Nitrogen Fixation
Nitrogen constitutes 78% of our atmosphere.
In living organisms, it is found in:
• Proteins,
• Nucleic Acids,
• Chlorophyll, and
• Vitamins.
Atmospheric nitrogen cannot be used directly by the plants and animals.
It gets fixed by either lightning or natural nitrogen fixers.
Nitrogen Cycle

A step-by-step explanation of Nitrogen Cycle

• Nitrogen Fixation: Atmospheric nitrogen is converted by
lightning or certain bacteria like Rhizobium, Azotobacter and
blue-green algae (present in soil) into compounds usable by
plants.
• Nitrification: Ammonia conversion into nitrites
by Nitrosomonas and further conversion of nitrites into nitrates
by Nitrobacter. Plants take up nitrogen in form of ammonia or
nitrates.
• Assimilation: Roots of plants absorb these nitrogenous
compounds from soils and plants use them to synthesize
proteins and other compounds.
• Animals feeding on plants get these proteins and nitrogen
compounds.
• Ammonification: When plants and animals die, bacteria and
fungi present in the soil convert the nitrogenous wastes into
compounds that can be used by plants again.
• Denitrification:Nitrates can be converted into nitrogen gas
which is released back in the atmosphere by certain bacteria.
Eg. Pseudomonas
Hence, atmospheric nitrogen remains constant
Microorganisms: Friend and Foe Class 8 Science NCERT Textbook Questions

Question 1.
Fill in the blanks.
(a) Microorganisms can be seen with the help of a _____
(b) Blue-green algae fix ______ directly from the air to enhance the fertility of soil.
(c) Alcohol is produced with the help of _____
(d) Cholera is caused by ______
Answer:
(a) microscope
(b) nitrogen
(c) yeast
(d) bacteria

Question 2.
Tick the correct answer.
(a) Yeast is used in the production of
(i) sugar
(ii) alcohol
(iii) hydrochloric acid
(iv) oxygen
Answer:
(ii) alcohol

(b) The following is an antibiotic:

(i) sodium bicarbonate
(ii) streptomycin
(iii) alcohol
(iv) yeast
Answer:
(ii) streptomycin

(c) Carrier of malaria-causing protozoan is:

(i) female Anopheles mosquito
(ii) cockroach
(iii) housefly
(iv) butterfly
Answer:
(i) female Anopheles mosquito

(d) The most common carrier of communicable diseases is

(i) ant
(ii) housefly
(iii) dragonfly
(iv) spider
Answer:
(ii) housefly

(e) The bread or idli dough rises because of:

(i) heat
(ii) grinding
(iii) growth of yeast cells
(iv) kneading
Answer:
(iii) growth of yeast cells

(f) The process of conversion of sugar into alcohol is called

(i) nitrogen fixation
(ii) moulding
(iii) fermentation
(iv) infection
Answer:
(iii) fermentation

Question 3.
Match the organisms in column A with their action in column B.
A B

(i) Bacteria (a) Fixing nitrogen

(ii) Rhizobium (b) Setting of curd

(iii) Lactobacillus (c) Baking of bread

(iv) Yeast (d) Causing malaria

(v) A protozoan (e) Causing cholera

(vi) A virus (f) Causing AIDS

(g) Producing antibodies

Answer:
(i) (e)
(ii) (a)
(iii) (b)
(iv) (c)
(v) (d)
(vi) (f)

Question 4.
Can microorganisms be seen with the naked eye? If not, how can they be seen?
Answer:
The microorganisms cannot be seen with our naked eyes because they are very
small in size. Some of these, such as fungus growing on bread, can be seen with a
magnifying glass. Others cannot be seen without the help of a microscope.

Question 5.
What are the major groups of microorganisms?
Answer:
Microorganisms are classified on the basis of their size into four major groups. These
groups are:
(a) Bacteria
(b) Fungi
(c) Protozoa
(d) Some algae

Question 6.
Name the microorganisms which can fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil.
Answer:
Rhizobium, Clostridium and Azotobacter.

Question 7.
Write 10 lines on the usefulness of microorganisms in our lives.
Answer:
Microorganisms are useful to us in many ways. For example,

• Bacteria like Lactobacillus convert milk into curd.

• Bacteria are also involved in the making of cheese.
• Acetobacter aceti is used for producing acetic acid from alcohol.
• Yeast is used in the commercial production of alcohol, wine and bakery products.
• Some specific microorganisms are helpful in manufacturing of antibiotics.
• Microorganisms act as cleansing agents and decompose the waste products into manure.
• Dead or weakened microbes are used in the preparation of vaccines.
• Some bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen and increase soil fertility.
• Algae, yeast, fungi or bacteria may be used as an ingredient or a substitute for protein-rich foods that are suitable for human or animal
consumption.
• Some microorganisms are taken as probiotics, that are believed to provide health benefits when consumed.

Question 8.
Write a short paragraph on the harms caused by microorganisms.
Answer:
Microorganisms are harmful to us in many ways. For example, microorganisms,
called pathogens cause disease in humans, plants and animals. Pathogens or germs
enter a healthy body through air, water, contaminated food and infected person by
direct or indirect contact or by the carrier. Common ailments like cold, influenza (flu),
cough, polio, chicken pox are caused by viruses. Foot and mouth diseases in the
cattle are also caused by viruses. Typhoid, tuberculosis (TB) are caused by bacteria.
Anthrax a dangerous human and cattle diseases is also caused by bacteria.

Diseases like dysentery and malaria are caused by protozoa. Ringworm is caused
by fungi. Several microbes causes diseases in plants and thus reduces the yield.
Citrus canker, a bacterial disease, affects trees of citrus fruit and is spread by air.
Bhendi yellow vein mosaic disease is caused by a virus and is spread by insects in
lady fingers. Rust of wheat is a fungal disease spread through air. Microorganisms
that grow on our food sometimes produce toxic substances. These make the food
poisonous causing serious illness and even death. This food-borne illness is called
food poisoning.

Question 9.
What are antibiotics? What precautions must be taken while taking antibiotics?
Answer:
Antibiotics are the medicines which kill or stop the growth of the disease-causing
microbes. They are manufactured by growing specific microorganisms. They are
used to cure a variety of diseases.
It is important to take antibiotic only on the advice of a qualified doctor. One must
finish the course prescribed by the doctor to make the drug more effective.
Antibiotics must not be taken unnecessarily because it may kill beneficial bacteria
also. Antibiotics are, however, not effective against cold and flu as they are caused
by viruses.

Microorganisms: Friend and Foe Class 8 Science NCERT Intext Activities Solved

Activity 1 (NCERT Textbook, Page 17)

Collect some moist soil from the field in a beaker and add water to it. After the soil
particles have settled down, observe a drop of water from the beaker under a
microscope. What do you see?
Solution:
It is observed that some tiny organisms are moving around.

Activity 2 (NCERT Textbook, Page 17)

Take a few drops of water from a pond. Spread on a glass slide and observe through
a microscope.
Solution:
It is observed that some tiny organisms are moving around.

Activity 3 (NCERT Textbook, Page 20)

Jake 1/2 kg flour (atta or maida), add some sugar and mix with warm water. Add a
small amount of yeast powder and knead to make a soft dough. What do you
observe after two hours? Did you find the dough rising?

Solution:
It is observed that the dough begins to rise up in volume. Yeast reproduces rapidly
and releases C02 during respiration. Etubble of this gas fill the dough and increase
its volume.

Activity 4 (NCERT Textbook, Page 20)

Take 500 ml. beaker filled upto 3/4 with water. Dissolve 2-3 teaspoons of sugars in it.
Add half a spoon of yeast powder to the sugar solution. Keep it covered in a warm
place for 4-5 hours. Now smell the solution. Can you get a smell?
Solution:
It is observed that the solution smell like alcohol. This process of conversion of sugar
in alcohol is known as fermentation.

Activity 5 (NCERT Textbook, Page 22)

Take two pots and fill each pot half with soil. Mark them A and B. Put plant waste in
pot A and things like polythene bags, empty glass bottles and broken plastic toys in
pot B. Put the pots aside. Observe them after 3-4 weeks.
Solution:
It is observed that plant waste in pot A has been decomposed, whereas the
polythene bags, empty glass bottles and broken plastic toys in pot B did not undergo
such changes.