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Microorganisms : Friends and Foe

Class -VIII , Subject – Science
Fill in the Blanks
[Link] are so small that they can only [Link] carrier of malaria parasite is the
be seen with the help of a __________. __________ mosquito.

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Answer: microscope Answer: female Anopheles
[Link]-causing microorganisms are called [Link] like __________ are used in the
__________. production of antibiotics.

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Answer: pathogens Answer: Penicillium
[Link] microorganism used in the production of [Link] like cholera, typhoid and dysentery
alcohol is __________. are spread through __________ water.

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Answer: yeast Answer: contaminated
[Link] process of conversion of sugar into alcohol [Link] microorganism Rhizobium lives in the root

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by yeast is called __________. nodules of __________ plants.
Answer: fermentation Answer: leguminous
[Link] first antibiotic discovered by Alexander 15.A preparation of dead or weakened microbes

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Fleming was __________. used to provide immunity is called a __________.
Answer: penicillin Answer: vaccine
[Link] bacterium Lactobacillus helps in the [Link] that grow on food materials
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conversion of milk into __________. and make them unfit for use are called
Answer: curd __________ microorganisms.
[Link] that fix atmospheric nitrogen Answer: spoilage-causing
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into soil are called __________ bacteria. [Link] virus that causes AIDS is __________.
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Answer: nitrogen-fixing Answer: HIV

8._________ is a microorganism that causes the [Link] fungus __________ is used in the
disease tuberculosis. production of bread.
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Answer: Mycobacterium tuberculosis Answer: yeast

[Link] can be prevented by __________. 19._________ bacteria are used in the production
Answer: vaccination of acetic acid (vinegar).
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[Link] microorganism that causes malaria is Answer: Acetobacter

__________. [Link] microorganism that causes measles is a
Answer: Plasmodium __________.
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Answer: virus

Short type Questions Marks -1

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[Link] two microorganisms used in the [Link] microorganism is used in the production
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production of antibiotics. of antibiotics like penicillin?

Answer: Penicillium and Streptomyces. Answer: Penicillium notatum.
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[Link] microorganism is used in the production [Link] two food items preserved by salt.
of alcohol? Answer: Pickles and fish.
[Link] microorganism is used to make curd
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Answer: Yeast.
[Link] one disease caused by protozoa. from milk?
Answer: Malaria. Answer: Lactobacillus.
[Link] microorganism causes tuberculosis (TB)? [Link] microorganism is responsible for causing
Answer: Bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). polio?
Answer: Virus.

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[Link] one disease caused by bacteria in humans. [Link] microorganism is called the “bread
Answer: Cholera. maker”?
[Link] microorganisms can fix atmospheric Answer: Yeast.
nitrogen in soil? [Link] one viral disease in plants.
Answer: Rhizobium and Blue-Green Algae Answer: Tobacco Mosaic Disease.
(Cyanobacteria). [Link] microorganism helps in decomposition
[Link] microorganism is used in the production of organic matter?
of vaccines? Answer: Bacteria and fungi.

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Answer: Weakened or killed microbes (e.g., [Link] is the process of conversion of milk into
smallpox vaccine uses virus). curd called?
[Link] one plant disease caused by fungi. Answer: Fermentation.

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Answer: Rust of wheat. [Link] microorganism is used in making
[Link] two common preservatives used in food. antibiotics to fight bacteria?
Answer: Salt and sugar. Answer: Streptomyces.

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[Link] microorganism is used in the production [Link] one disease caused by virus in humans.
of antibiotics? Answer: Common cold.
Answer: Fungi and bacteria. [Link] microorganism is used in sewage

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[Link] microorganism is used in the production treatment?
of vinegar (acetic acid)? Answer: Bacteria.

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Answer: Acetobacter aceti.

Multiple Choice Type Question

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[Link] of the following is not a microorganism? (a) Fermentation
(a) Bacteria (b) Pasteurization
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(b) Fungi (c) Nitrogen fixation
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(c) Amoeba (d) Vaccination

(d) Mango tree Answer: (a) Fermentation
Answer: (d) Mango tree [Link] microorganism causes tuberculosis?
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[Link] microorganism is used in the production of (a) Virus

alcohol? (b) Bacteria
(a) Yeast (c) Protozoa
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(b) Rhizobium (d) Fungus

(c) Lactobacillus Answer: (b) Bacteria
(d) Penicillium [Link] disease is caused by a virus?
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Answer: (a) Yeast (a) Cholera

[Link] microorganism is known as the “nitrogen- (b) Malaria
fixing bacteria”? (c) Polio
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(a) Lactobacillus (d) Tuberculosis

(b) Rhizobium Answer: (c) Polio
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(c) Yeast [Link] microorganism causes malaria?

(d) Amoeba (a) Plasmodium
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Answer: (b) Rhizobium (b) Yeast

[Link] was discovered by: (c) Rhizobium
(a) Robert Hooke (d) Amoeba
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(b) Alexander Fleming Answer: (a) Plasmodium

(c) Louis Pasteur [Link] microorganism causes the disease
(d) Edward Jenner ringworm?
Answer: (b) Alexander Fleming (a) Virus
[Link] process of converting sugar into alcohol by (b) Protozoa
yeast is called: (c) Bacteria

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(d) Fungus [Link] microorganism spoils pickles, jams, and

Answer: (d) Fungus bread?
[Link] bacteria convert milk into: (a) Virus
(a) Cheese (b) Fungi
(b) Curd (c) Protozoa
(c) Butter (d) Bacteria
(d) Ice cream Answer: (b) Fungi
Answer: (b) Curd [Link] of the following is not a bacterial disease?

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[Link] first vaccine discovered was for: (a) Cholera
(a) Cholera (b) Typhoid
(b) Malaria (c) Tuberculosis

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(c) Smallpox (d) Dengue
(d) Polio Answer: (d) Dengue
Answer: (c) Smallpox [Link] is known as the “Father of Microbiology”?

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[Link] gas is released during fermentation? (a) Robert Hooke
(a) Oxygen (b) Louis Pasteur
(b) Nitrogen (c) Alexander Fleming

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(c) Carbon dioxide (d) Edward Jenner
(d) Hydrogen Answer: (b) Louis Pasteur

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Answer: (c) Carbon dioxide [Link] microorganism is used to make bread soft
[Link] microorganism used in the production of and spongy?
antibiotics is: (a) Rhizobium
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(a) Penicillium (b) Penicillium
(b) Yeast (c) Yeast
(c) Amoeba (d) Amoeba
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(d) Lactobacillus Answer: (c) Yeast
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Answer: (a) Penicillium [Link] disease is caused by the HIV virus?

[Link] microorganism is used in sewage (a) AIDS
treatment? (b) Tuberculosis
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(a) Fungi (c) Cholera

(b) Bacteria (d) Polio
(c) Virus Answer: (a) AIDS
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(d) Amoeba [Link] microorganism causes common cold?

Answer: (b) Bacteria (a) Virus
[Link] of the following is a protozoan disease? (b) Bacteria
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(a) Cholera (c) Fungus

(b) Malaria (d) Protozoa
(c) Influenza Answer: (a) Virus
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(d) Polio [Link] process of heating milk at high temperature

Answer: (b) Malaria to kill germs is called:
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[Link] microorganism lives in symbiotic (a) Fermentation

association with leguminous plants? (b) Pasteurization
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(a) Lactobacillus (c) Sterilization

(b) Yeast (d) Nitrogen fixation
(c) Rhizobium Answer: (b) Pasteurization
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(d) Plasmodium [Link] microorganisms are used to produce

Answer: (c) Rhizobium vaccines?
[Link] disease is caused by contaminated water? (a) Harmful microbes
(a) Typhoid (b) Dead or weakened microbes
(b) Tuberculosis (c) Living plants
(c) Polio (d) Insects
(d) Dengue Answer: (b) Dead or weakened microbes
Answer: (a) Typhoid

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Answer to the Question of Marks 3
1. What are microorganisms? Give examples. milk from spoiling and makes it safe for
Answer: Microorganisms are tiny living organisms consumption. The method was developed by Louis
that cannot be seen with the naked eye and are Pasteur.
visible only under a microscope. They may be 7. What are antibiotics? Give examples.
unicellular or multicellular. Examples include Answer: Antibiotics are medicines produced by
bacteria (Lactobacillus), fungi (yeast, penicillium), certain microorganisms to kill or stop the growth of

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protozoa (amoeba, plasmodium), and algae harmful bacteria. They are used to cure bacterial
(chlamydomonas, spirogyra). They are found infections in humans and animals. For example:
everywhere in soil, air, water, and even inside  Penicillin (from Penicillium fungus).

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other organisms.  Streptomycin.
2. Name two useful and two harmful They should not be overused as it may lead
microorganisms. to resistance.

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Answer: Useful microorganisms: 8. Write three uses of microorganisms in our
a)Lactobacillus – used in curd formation. daily life.
b)Rhizobium – helps in nitrogen fixation. Answer: a)Used in making bread, cake, and alcohol

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Harmful microorganisms: (yeast).
c)Plasmodium – causes malaria. b)Used in production of antibiotics like penicillin.
d)Salmonella typhi – causes typhoid.

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c)Used in agriculture for nitrogen fixation
3. How is yeast used in baking and brewing (Rhizobium).
industries? Thus, microorganisms are very helpful in food,
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Answer: Yeast reproduces rapidly and produces medicine, and soil fertility.
carbon dioxide during respiration. In baking, this 9. Name three diseases caused by bacteria,
gas makes bread, cake, and pastries soft and fluffy. virus, and protozoa.
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In brewing, yeast ferments sugar into alcohol, Answer: a)Bacteria: Tuberculosis, Typhoid,
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which is used for making beer and wine. Thus, Cholera.

yeast plays a major role in the food and beverage b)Virus: Polio, Influenza, COVID-19.
industry. c)Protozoa: Malaria, Dysentery, Sleeping
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4. What is fermentation? Name the scientist who sickness.

discovered it. 10. What are pathogens? Give examples.
Answer: Fermentation is the process in which sugar Answer: Disease-causing microorganisms are called
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is converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide by the pathogens. They enter our body through air, water,
action of microorganisms, mainly yeast. This food, or contact and cause illness. Examples:
process is used in making alcoholic drinks and  Salmonella typhi (causes typhoid).
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some food products. The process of fermentation  Plasmodium (causes malaria).

was discovered by Louis Pasteur in 1857.  Influenza virus (causes flu).
5. Explain the role of microorganisms in 11. How do houseflies spread diseases?
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nitrogen fixation. Answer: Houseflies sit on garbage and animal

Answer: Microorganisms such as Rhizobium live in waste, where pathogens stick to their hairy legs and
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the root nodules of leguminous plants. They mouthparts. When they sit on uncovered food, they
convert atmospheric nitrogen into soluble forms transfer these pathogens, contaminating the food. If
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like nitrates and nitrites, which plants can absorb consumed, it causes diseases like cholera, typhoid,
and use for growth. This process is called nitrogen and dysentery in humans.
fixation. It maintains soil fertility and reduces the 12. Explain the role of microorganisms in
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need for chemical fertilizers. cleaning the environment.

6. What is pasteurization? Why is it done? Answer: Microorganisms like bacteria and fungi act
Answer: Pasteurization is the process of heating as decomposers. They break down dead plants,
milk to about 70°C for 15–30 seconds and then animals, and organic wastes into simpler
rapidly cooling it. This kills harmful microbes substances. This process recycles nutrients back to
without affecting the flavor or quality. It prevents the soil, cleans the environment, and prevents

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accumulation of waste. Without them, the earth [Link]: Animal-like microorganisms. Some
would be covered with dead matter. are harmless, while others like Plasmodium (causes
13. How are vaccines prepared? malaria) and Entamoeba histolytica (causes
Answer: Vaccines are prepared from dead or dysentery) are harmful.
weakened microbes that stimulate the body to 15. Mention three ways to prevent food spoilage
produce antibodies. These antibodies remain in the by microorganisms.
body and protect us against future infections. For Answer: a)Refrigeration – slows down microbial
example, vaccines for polio, smallpox, and growth.
b)Drying and salting – removes moisture and

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hepatitis B are used to control these diseases.
14. Write a short note on algae and protozoa as prevents growth.
microorganisms. c)Sealed airtight packing – prevents exposure to

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Answer: [Link]: Simple green plants like air and microbes.
Chlamydomonas and Spirogyra. They are
autotrophic and make their own food.

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Answer to the Question of Marks 5
1. Explain the role of microorganisms in the 3. Describe the role of microorganisms in

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preparation of food. agriculture.
Answer: Microorganisms are used in various food Answer: Microorganisms play a vital role in
preparations. Bacteria like Lactobacillus convert agriculture by improving soil fertility and enhancing
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milk into curd by producing lactic acid. Yeast is crop yield. Certain bacteria, such as Rhizobium,
used in baking industries for making bread, cakes, form symbiotic associations with leguminous plants
and pastries as it produces carbon dioxide during and fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, enriching
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fermentation, making the dough soft and spongy. In it naturally. Free-living bacteria like Azotobacter and
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beverage industries, yeast helps in making alcohol Clostridium also fix nitrogen. Blue-green algae
such as wine and beer through fermentation of sugar. (cyanobacteria) like Anabaena and Nostoc
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Some fungi and bacteria are used for making contribute to nitrogen fixation. These
pickles, cheese, and vinegar. Thus, microorganisms microorganisms act as natural biofertilizers,
make food tasty, nutritious, and easy to digest. They reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. This helps
are also used to produce vitamin-rich supplements. in sustainable farming, maintains soil health, and
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Hence, microbes play a vital role in the food protects the environment from pollution. Thus,
industry. microbes are true friends of farmers in increasing
2. What are antibiotics? Give examples and their productivity and maintaining ecological balance.
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importance. 4. Explain how microorganisms cause diseases in

Answer: Antibiotics are medicines produced by humans with examples.
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certain microorganisms that kill or stop the growth Answer: Some microorganisms act as pathogens
of harmful bacteria. They are widely used to treat and cause diseases in humans. Bacteria cause
infections and save human lives. The first diseases such as tuberculosis, typhoid, and cholera.
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discovered antibiotic was Penicillin, produced by Viruses cause diseases like influenza, common cold,
the fungus Penicillium notatum. Other examples polio, and COVID-19. Protozoa such as Plasmodium
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include Streptomycin, Tetracycline, and cause malaria, while Entamoeba histolytica causes
Erythromycin. Antibiotics are used to cure diseases amoebic dysentery. Fungi cause skin infections like
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such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and throat ringworm. These pathogens enter the human body
infections. They are also used to protect animals and through contaminated food, water, air, or insect
crops. However, overuse or misuse of antibiotics bites, multiply, and release toxins or damage tissues.
may lead to resistance, reducing their effectiveness. This leads to illness and sometimes even death.
Hence, antibiotics are powerful tools against Preventive measures include vaccination,
diseases but must be used carefully under medical maintaining hygiene, and proper sanitation. Hence,
advice.

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harmful microorganisms are termed as “foes” agriculture. Thus, it is essential for maintaining soil
because they threaten human health. fertility and ensuring good crop yield.
5. How are microorganisms useful in the 8. What are communicable diseases? Give
production of medicines? examples and methods of prevention.
Answer: Microorganisms are used in the production Answer: Communicable diseases are infections that
of several medicines, especially antibiotics and spread from one person to another through air,
vaccines. Antibiotics like penicillin, streptomycin, water, food, contact, or insect bites. Examples
and tetracycline are obtained from fungi and include cholera (spread through contaminated

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bacteria, which cure bacterial infections. Vaccines water), tuberculosis (spread through air), malaria
are prepared from weakened or killed (spread by mosquito bite), and measles (spread by
microorganisms that stimulate the body to produce contact). Preventive measures include proper

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antibodies, providing immunity against diseases like vaccination, maintaining hygiene, drinking clean
polio, hepatitis, smallpox, and cholera. water, eating safe food, and using mosquito nets.
Microorganisms are also used in producing insulin, Quarantine and isolation help control outbreaks.

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hormones, and enzymes for medical purposes. Their Public awareness and sanitation also play a key role.
products are life-saving and protect people Communicable diseases can spread rapidly, but with
worldwide. Without microbes, the pharmaceutical proper precautions and medical care, they can be

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industry would not be able to provide effective controlled effectively.
treatments for many deadly diseases. 9. Describe the role of microorganisms in the food

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6. Write the role of microorganisms in cleaning industry.
the environment. Answer: Microorganisms are widely used in the
Answer: Microorganisms act as natural food industry to make products tasty, nutritious, and
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decomposers. Bacteria and fungi break down dead preservable. Lactobacillus bacteria convert milk into
plants, animals, and organic wastes into simpler curd and also increase its vitamin content. Yeast is
substances like carbon dioxide, water, and nutrients. used in bakeries for making bread, cakes, and
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This process recycles essential elements into the pastries. Alcoholic drinks like wine, beer, and rum
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environment, enriching the soil and maintaining are produced using yeast fermentation. Bacteria help
ecological balance. Saprophytic fungi such as Mucor in producing vinegar, citric acid, and cheese.
and bacteria like Bacillus decompose waste Microbes are also used in pickling processes, adding
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materials. Sewage treatment plants also use flavor and increasing shelf life. By producing
microbes to purify wastewater by breaking down enzymes and organic acids, microorganisms enhance
organic matter. Without decomposers, waste would the food industry. Thus, microbes are essential in
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accumulate, and the ecosystem would collapse. food processing and preservation.
Thus, microorganisms clean the environment, 10. How do microorganisms act as both friends
recycle nutrients, and make the Earth a suitable and foes?
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place for life to exist. Answer: Microorganisms are called friends because
7. Explain the process of nitrogen fixation and its they help in food production (curd, bread, alcohol),
importance. medicine preparation (antibiotics, vaccines),
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Answer: Nitrogen fixation is the process of agriculture (nitrogen fixation), and cleaning the
converting atmospheric nitrogen gas into usable environment (decomposition). They are also used in
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nitrogen compounds such as nitrates and nitrites. sewage treatment and biotechnology. However, they
Certain bacteria like Rhizobium live in root nodules are also foes as they cause diseases in humans
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of leguminous plants and fix nitrogen in a symbiotic (cholera, tuberculosis, malaria), animals (foot-and-
manner. Free-living bacteria such as Azotobacter mouth disease), and plants (rust of wheat, citrus
and Clostridium, and blue-green algae like canker). They spoil food, leather, and clothes by
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Anabaena, also fix nitrogen independently. The decaying them. Hence, microorganisms are both
fixed nitrogen enriches the soil and is absorbed by beneficial and harmful. Their dual nature makes
plants to synthesize proteins and other vital them an important part of our lives, influencing
compounds. Nitrogen fixation reduces the need for health, industry, and environment.
chemical fertilizers and promotes sustainable

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