Class: VIII Science

CHAPTER-2: Microorganisms: Friends or Foes

Fill in the blanks.
1. Bacteria and ———- are some of the common decomposers.
2. Smut of ———— and red rot of ————— is a fungal
disease.
3. ——— and ——- are used to preserve pickles and meat.
4. Dogs get infected with this virus disease called
———— ————.
Choose the correct options.
1. Vinegar is commonly known as
a. Citric acid b. Acetic acid c. Carbonic acid d. None
2. Mumps is a ——- disease.
a. Bacterial b. Virus c. Protozoan d. Fungal
3. Which of these can be prevented by vaccination?
a. Tetanus b. Polio c. Measles d. All of these
4. ———- helps in the formation of curd.
a. Lactobacillus b. Rhizobium c. Coccus d. None of
these
5. Jams and jellies are preserved with the help of
a. Sugar b. Chemical preservatives c. Salt d. Both a & b
6. Which of the following are methods of preservation?
a. Canning b. Freezing c. Vacuum packing d. All of the
above
7. Which of these are protozoans?
a. Euglena b. Spirogyra c. Paramoecium d. a & c both
8. The special cells produced in response to a disease causing
microbe are called
a. Antigens b. Antibodiesc. Immunity d. None of above
9. These are diseases caused by bacteria
a. Cholera b. Typhoid c. Tetanus d. All of these
10. Which of these diseases get transmitted through animals?
a. Tetanus b. Rabies c. Malaria d. Typhoid
11. What is a rod shaped bacteria known as?
(a) Coccus (b) Bacillus (c) Vibrio (d) Spirillum
12. Name the Bacteria present in root nodules of pea from the
following:
(a) Coli (b) Rhizobium (c) Plasmodium (d) Penicillin
13. What disease is caused by Protozoa?
(a) Polio (b) Tuberculosis (c) Malaria (d) Typhoid
14. Name the bacteria that helps with setting of the curd from the
following:
(a) Lactobacillus (b) Rhizobium (c) Vibriocholarae
(d) Bacillus
Match the following.
1. Citrus canker Orange patches
2. Antibody Bioaugmentation
3. Clostridium Bacterial disease
4. Rust of wheat Destroy bacteria
5. Sewage treatment Bad odour & taste
6. Rancidity Cattle disease
7. Anthrax Food poisoning
Answer the following.
1. Rohan had idli in his breakfast which he found very soft &
fluffy.
a. What made the idli soft & fluffy, according to you?
b. Which organism was responsible for making the idlis soft
& fluffy?
2. What is the role of microorganisms in enriching the soil?
4. Discuss, how microorganisms play a vital role in agriculture.
5. Microorganisms are found everywhere in our environment.
Explain.
3. Name two antibiotics obtained from fungi and discuss their
role.

Give reasons for the following.

1. Food kept in the open by hawkers should not be consumed.
2. Vacuum packing is commonly used to store nuts.
3. Stems of sugarcane show dull red colour along with White
patches on stalks.
4. Common cold and conjunctivitis are communicable diseases.
5. Microorganisms can help in the production of fuel for energy.

Question 1: What causes malaria?

Answer: Malaria is caused by protozoa.
Question 2: Which mosquito act as carrier of dengue virus?
Answer: Aedes mosquito acts as carrier of dengue virus.
Question 3: Name any two diseases that can be prevented by
vaccination.
Answer: Polio and smallpox
Question 4: Give two examples of algae.
Answer: Chlamydomonas and Spirogyra
Question 5: Give two examples of protozoa.
Answer: Amoeba and Paramecium
Question 7: Give few of examples of fungi.
Answer: Bread mould, Penicillium and Aspergillus
Question 6: How are cholera and typhoid caused?
Answer: Cholera and typhoid are caused by bacteria.
Question 8: Who discovered penicillin?
Answer: In 1929, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin.
Question 9: Name any two diseases caused by bacteria.
Answer: Typhoid and tuberculosis (TB)
Question 10: What causes foot and mouth disease of cattle?
Answer: Foot and mouth disease of cattle is caused by a virus.
Question 11:Who discovered the vaccine for smallpox?
Answer: Edward Jenner discovered the vaccine for smallpox in
1798.
Question 12: Name any two diseases caused by protozoa.
Answer: Diseases like amoebic dysentery and malaria are
caused by protozoans.
Question 17: Name one plant disease caused by bacteria and its
mode of transmission.
Answer: Citrus canker is caused by bacteria and transmitted
through air.
Question 19: Name one plant disease caused by virus and its
mode of transmission.
Answer: Tobacco mosai virus is caused by virus and transmitted
through insect.
Question 21: Name three plant disease caused by fungi and
its mode of transmission.
Answer: Rust of wheat, smut of rice and red rot of sugarcane is
caused by fungi and transmitted through air and seeds.
Question 22:
Question 26:
Short Answer Type Question
Question 1: What are the major groups of microorganisms?
Microorganisms are classified into four major groups.
These groups are bacteria, fungi, protozoa and some algae.
Types of micro-organisms- Bacteria -Staphylococcus, Vibrio
cholerae
Fungi – Bread mould, Yeast
Protozoans – Paramoecium, amoeba, euglena
Algae – Chlorella, Spirogyra
What are microorganisms?
Microorganisms or microbes are the living organisms around us
which cannot be seen with naked eye.
Where do microorganisms live?
 They can survive under all types of environment, ranging
from ice cold climate to hot springs and deserts to marshy
lands.
 They are also found inside the bodies of animals including
humans.
 Some microorganisms grow on other organisms while others
exist freely.
 Microorganisms like amoeba can live alone, while fungi and
bacteria may live in colonies.

How are viruses different from other micro-organisms? /

Why viruses are unique? / Why are viruses considered to be
on the borderline between living organisms and non-living
things?

 Viruses are quite different from other microorganisms.

  They can exhibit the characteristics of both living and non-
living things.
 When they come in contact with a suitable plant, animal or
bacteria, they show the characteristics of living organisms.
 They infect the cell and quickly multiply inside it.
 They reproduce only inside the host organism; bacterium,
plant or animal cell.
How does micro-organisms help in curd formation?
 Formation of curd: Making of curd is a process in which
the lactose (milk sugar) of the milk is converted into lactic
acid by the action of certain bacteria called Lactobacillus.
 Bacteria and fungi - Cheese
What is fermentation? /How does yeast help in fermentation
process? / Why is yeast used in baking industry?
Fungi like Yeast, reproduce rapidly and produce carbon di
oxide.
This gas trapped in dough causes it to increase in volume and
makes it fluffy and soft.
Write some common uses of yeast.
Common uses of yeast are:
  It is used in the baking industry for making breads,
pastries and cakes.
 It is used for commercial production of alcohol and wine.
While making dough, your mother adds yeast and keeps it in
a warm place. Why does the dough rise? What would happen
if she forgot to add sugar?

Which microorganism is used for commercial production of

alcohol, wine and acetic acid (vinegar)?
Yeast is used for commercial production of alcohol, wine and
acetic acid (vinegar).
How does micro-organisms help in making alcoholic
beverages?
Fungi like yeast converts natural sugars present in cereals and
fruits into alcohol. This alcohol is used to make alcoholic
beverages. Acetic acid – Vinegar is produced by a similar
process.

What is the suitable temperature for making curd? /Why

some times curd taste sour?
 Micro-organisms exhibit maximum growth in the
temperature range of 300 -450 C.
  Milk tastes sweetish because of the presence of a sugar
called lactose.
 Lactobacillus converts this lactose into lactic acid in curd.
 Curd is so sour because of increased growth of bacteria
and the resulting production of more lactic acid.
What is bioaugmentation?
Bacteria are used in the biological treatment of sewage and
industrial waste called effluent. This process is known as
bioaugmentation.
What are antibiotics? / Give some examples of antibiotics.
Antibiotics are chemicals that inhibit the growth of harmful
microorganisms by affecting their life processes.
Example: Penicillin – Fungus- Penicillium notatum
Streptomycin, tetracycline, erythromycin
Name some antibiotics obtained from bacteria.
Streptomycin, tetracycline and erythromycin
Name some antibiotic obtained from fungi.
Penicillin from penicillium notatum.
Why are the antibiotics not effective against colds and the
flu?
Antibiotics are not effective against cold and flu as these are
caused by viruses.
Name some commonly known antibiotics which are made
from bacteria.
Streptomycin, tetracycline and erythromycin are some of the
commonly known antibiotics which are made from bacteria.
Antibiotic should be taken only in the prescribed dosage and
for prescribed duration. Why? / What happens if the
antibiotic course is not completed?
If antibiotic course is not completed for the prescribed course, it
may be ineffective. If they are taken when not really required,
they may kill some of the useful bacteria in the body.
What are antibodies?
Antibodies are proteins produced by special kind of blood cells
to identify and destroy microbes like bacteria, viruses etc.,
Antibodies identify and destroy such disease-causing organisms.
What is immunity?
Immunity is the natural ability of an organism to have an inbuilt
mechanism to resist and destroy the infection that some
microorganism may cause.
How does vaccination improve immunity?
Vaccination is an important way to build immunity. A vaccine
produces immunity to a disease by stimulating the production of
antibodies.
How a vaccine works?
Answer: When a disease-carrying microbe enters our body, the
body produces antibodies to fight the invader. The body also
remembers how to fight the microbe if it enters again. So, if dead
or weakened microbes are introduced in a healthy body, the body
fights and kills them by producing suitable antibodies. The
antibodies remain in the body and we are protected from the
disease-causing microbes. This is how a vaccine works.

What are vaccines? / How is vaccine administered?

Vaccines are suspensions of killed or weakened microorganisms
or products or derivatives of such microorganisms.
It can be administered by inoculation and orally.
What diseases are prevented through vaccination?
viral diseases, including cholera, tuberculosis, smallpox and
hepatitis can be prevented by vaccination.
Name the microorganisms which can fix atmospheric
nitrogen in the soil.
Answer: Certain bacteria Rhizobium and blue green algae
cyanobacteria present in the soil fix nitrogen from the
atmosphere and convert into compounds of nitrogen.
Explain the role of microorganisms in the Nitrogen Cycle.
Why is this cycle essential for an ecosystem?
A farmer notices the leaves of his wheat crop are turning
yellow with rust-coloured spots. Identify the type of
microorganism likely causing this and explain how such
plant diseases are transmitted.

How does microorganism help in making fuel?

Microorganisms produce ethanol by fermentation of sugars and
produce methane in the biogas reactors. Methane and ethanol are
used as fuel for production of energy.
How do microorganisms clean the environment?
Answer: Some microorganisms decompose the organic waste
and dead plants and animals into simple substances and clean up
the environment.

Microorganisms - Foe
What are pathogens?
Disease causing organisms in human beings, plants and animals
are called pathogens.
How does microorganisms cause disease in humans?
They release some harmful materials called toxins in our body
which affect our body and make us suffer from diseases.
How can cholera be prevented?
Answer: To prevent cholera we must:
 Maintain personal hygiene and good sanitary habits.
 Consume properly cooked food and boiled drinking water.
 Vaccination.
How does common cold spread?
Answer: When a person suffering from common cold sneezes,
fine droplets of moisture carrying thousands of viruses are
spread in the air. The virus may enter the body of a healthy
person while breathing.
What causes tuberculosis and how is it spread?
Answer: Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that spread from
person to person through microscopic droplets released into the
air. This can happen when someone with tuberculosis coughs,
speaks, sneezes or spits.
What are communicable diseases? Give examples.
Answer: Microbial diseases that can spread from an infected
person to a healthy person through air, water, food or physical
contact are called communicable diseases. Examples of such
diseases include cholera, common cold, chicken pox and
tuberculosis.
How can we prevent the spread of communicable diseases?
We prevent the spread of communicable diseases:
 By keeping handkerchief on the nose and mouth while
sneezing.
 By keeping distance from infected persons.

How are these diseases spread/ transmitted cholera, malaria,

dengue, Plague and typhoid?
Cholera - water or food. Typhoid - water.
Malaria – female Anopheles mosquito, Dengue – Aedes
mosquito, Plague – rat flea
What are vectors or carriers of disease-causing microbes?
Give examples.
Answer: There are some insects and animals which act as
carriers of disease-causing microbes. Housefly is one such
carrier. Another example of a carrier is the female
Anopheles mosquito, which carries the parasite of malaria.

Write any two common cattle diseases and its cause.

Anthrax is a dangerous cattle disease caused by a bacterium.
Foot and mouth disease of cattle is caused by a virus.
What are the harmful effects of microorganisms on plants?
Several microorganisms cause diseases in plants like wheat, rice,
potato, sugarcane, orange, apple and others. The diseases reduce
the yield of crops.
Name some diseases caused by virus.
Answer: Common ailments like cold, influenza (flu) and most
coughs are caused by viruses. Serious diseases like polio and
chicken pox are also caused by viruses.
Food Poisoning:
What are the symptoms of food poisoning?
Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
How does spoilage of food take place?
Microorganisms grow in waterbodies and decrease their oxygen
level. This is harmful to the other organisms living in these water
bodies.
What causes food poisoning?
Answer: Food poisoning could be due to the consumption of
food spoilt by some microorganisms causing serious illness and
even death.
Food preservation technique:
Name two chemical preservatives added.
Sodium benzoate and sodium metabisulphite
Why do we keep food in refrigerator?
We keep food in the refrigerator because low temperature
inhibits the growth of microbes and keep the food fresh.
How are meat and fish preserved?
Meat and fish are covered with dry salt to check the growth of
bacteria.
Why sugar is used as preservative?
Sugar is used as preservative in jams, jellies and squashes. Sugar
reduces the moisture content which inhibits the growth of
bacteria which spoil food.
Why dry fruits and even vegetables are sold in sealed air
tight packets?
Dry fruits and even vegetables are sold in sealed air tight packets
to prevent the attack of microbes.
How do we preserve pickles?
We add salt or acid preservatives to pickles to prevent the attack
of microbes.
What are preservatives?
Chemicals (Salts, edible oils etc.) used to check the growths of
microorganisms are called preservatives.
Why pasteurized milk can be consumed without boiling?
Pasteurized milk can be consumed without boiling as it is free
from harmful microbes.
How can food be preserved by adding vinegar?
Answer: Use of vinegar prevents spoilage of food because
bacteria cannot live in such an environment. Vegetables, fruits,
fish and meat are often preserved by this method.
Name the preservatives used in carbonated beverages and
fruit drinks.
Citric acid and phosphoric acid.
What is called pasteurization?
Answer: It is a process in which milk is heated to about 700C
for 15 to 30 seconds and then suddenly chilled and stored. By
doing so, it prevents the growth of microbes. This process was
discovered by Louis Pasteur. It is called pasteurization.