Types of Microorganisms

There are five types of micro-organisms: bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi and worms (worms).

Bacteria

The most common organisms on Earth, bacteria live almost everywhere in soil and water, plants and animals. Is this the shape of balls, rods or spirals, bacteria consists of a single cell. Unlike animal and plant cells, bacterial cells lack nuclei, but can perform all functions necessary for life. Most bacteria are parasites, but a few manufacturing their own food. Some of these parasites are very useful - they contribute to many bodily functions including digestion and aid in other processes such as soil degradation and changes in milk for cheese. The results of the disease, however, when bacteria multiply rapidly (each cell simply divides into two identical cells) and damage or kill human tissue, such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. Diseases can also produce toxins that kill or damage the tissues of humans, as in food poisoning or cholera. Sometimes, the bacteria in the body, help for a while, and then something in the body or the bacteria changes, causing destruction of the host.

Bacteria present in the image from top right: E. coli 0157: H7 (food poisoning cases), pyrogenes Strepococcus (causes strep throat), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB cases)

Virus

Certainly the smallest bacteria, viruses can occur in spirals, figure 20 or face a form more complicated. They consist mainly of genetic material - DNA or RNA. Cells, but they are not and can not exercise the functions of life by their own means. Living inside the cells of other species, viruses use host cell growth and the creation of new viral particles. How did they acquire genetic material for breeding, often the death of host cells. Find all groups of living things, bacteria and fungi to plants and animals, hundreds of known viruses can cause various infections, chickenpox, measles, influenza, colds, polio and AIDS. Viruses can not move by itself and must be done to cells by air currents and then by body fluids in the cells. Some viruses may lay dormant for years and starts, as in the case of AIDS. Most diseases from other species, for example: smallpox dogs or cattle, hemorrhagic fever in rodents and monkeys, tuberculosis from cattle and birds, horses with colds and AIDS African monkeys.

Viruses in the right image above: Adenovirus causes colds (), influenza causes (flu), and Hepadnavirus (causes hepatitis B)

Protozoa

Protozoa consist of a single cell that contains the nucleus. Cell also contains structures that carry out specific processes needed for life functions. complex and diverse group, the scope of protozoa in many shapes and sizes. They are parasites that must live in different organisms, or living freely in moist habitats. The similarity of the internal structure of protozoa and human cells, it is difficult to treat infections caused by protozoa. Drugs that may destroy the protozoan may destroy human cells. protozoal infections are amoebic dysentery, malaria and African sleeping sickness.

Protozoa photo clockwise from top: Giardia intestinalis (causes diarrhea), Trypanosoma brucei (causes sleeping sickness), Plasmodium gametocyte (causes malaria)

Parasite

other micro-organisms break down body tissues or absorb digested food. They can cause infections of internal disorders of the skin which can cause death. Includes a group called parasitic flukes, roundworms and tapeworms, many-celled animals with developed organs. Among the many types, some are parasites - organisms that live in or on another species, usually the damage in the process of host species. Because of their size, parasitic worms grow outside of cells and can reach astronomical size of 30 feet long.

Bugs in the photo, from left to right: Ascaris lumbricoides (intestinal roundworm), Schistosoma mansoni (parasitic worm that lives in contaminated water and causes schistosomiasis or bilharzia)

Fungi

Fungi include yeasts (unicellular), and fungi and molds (multicellular). Unlike plants, fungi do not make their own food. Some species of fungi for their food by breaking down the remains of dead plants and animals. Others are parasites. Examples include fungal infections, fungal infections and athlete's foot.

Mushrooms in the photo, from left to right: Histoplasma capsulatum (histoplasmosis causes lung infection), Penicillium notatum (produces the drug penicillin)

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