microbes

• Main types of microbes

  • Bacteria
  • Viruses
  • Fungi
• Bacteria


  • Have a cell wall, cell membrane and cytoplasm but NO nucleus
• Viruses


  • Have a protein coat and genes
• Fungi


  • Have a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus
• Nutrient agar


  Medium used to grow microbes in a petri dish
• Growing microbes


  1. Microbes are grown at 25 degrees C in a school lab

  2. Petri dishes are kept closed for safety and to prevent contamination

  3. Microbes will grow until they run out of nutrients or waste builds up to toxic levels
• Calculating the number of bacteria

  Bacteria reproduce by splitting into 2 (the number doubles)
• Decomposers


  Bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter
• Role of decomposers


  Making compost
• Conditions required for decomposition


  • Warmth
  • Oxygen
  • Moisture
• Control in an investigation

  A standard for comparison
• Be able to draw a graph
• Calculating percentage increase
• Types of microbes?


  Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi