Beneficial Microorganisms

• Fermentation is the metabolic process by which microorganisms such as bacteria yeast or fungi, convert sugars and other organic compounds into various products, typically in absence of oxygen.
• Yeast will always choose to anaerobically respirate even if oxygen is available
• Carbon dioxide produced by the yeast during respiration are trapped in small air pockets in the dough, causing the dough to rise (increase in volume)
• Yeast is killed by high temperatures when baking to ensure there is no further respiration by the yeast.
• The yeast uses the sugar to respire excreting carbon dioxide and alcohol which causes the dough to rise.
• To make bread yeast, sugar and flour are left in a warm place
• Bread making: The alcohol evaporates during the baking process and the warmth increases the reaction rate.
• Beer making: Yeast and sugar is left in a warm place.
• Warm places causes increase in RoR
• Beer making: The yeast uses the sugar to respire excreting carbon dioxide and alcohol which adds bubbles to the beer.
• Cheese making: A starter culture of bacteria is added to warm milk. Curds are produced that are solid which are separated away from the whey (the remaining liquid). Bacteria and fungi are added to the curds to add different flavours of cheese as it matures.
• Yoghurt making: A starter culture of bacteria is added to warm milk. The lactose in the milk is fermented by the bacteria to make lactic acid. The milk becomes a more viscous liquid in the process.
• The gut microbiome is a complex community of microorganisms

  (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms.
• Gut bacteria reside in the gastrointestinal tract, primarily the colon.
• Gut bacteria contribute to -

  1. Digestion and Nutrient absorption
  2. Immune system support
  3. Metabolism regulation
  4. Production of vitamins and short chain fatty acids
  5. Mood and brain health
  6. Fermentation
• Lactobacillus acidophilus - found in yoghurts
• Decomposers are organisms that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter - making organic nutrients available to the ecosystem
• Some bacteria and fungi are decomposers
• Methane create electricity
• Digested sludge compost
• Saprophytic bacteria break down dead organic matter
• Compose heaps designed to provide optimum conditions for saprophytic bacteria.
• Compose heaps: Should be watered - so they don't dry out, reducing risk of fire.
• Compost heaps should be aerated by frequent turning - need oxygen to prevent anaerobic respiration
• Lime can be added if the pH is too acidic in a compost heap to prevent anaerobic respiration
• Compost heaps should be placed directly atop of the soil so worms can enter to consume plant material and derate heap.
• The nitrogen cycle is the process by which nitrogen is recycled in the environment.
• Neither plants nor animals can absorb nitrogen from the air: There 2 ways that can be talked out in the air into something easier to absorb

  1. Nitrogen Fixing bacteria: Found in "free-living" in soil and also in the root nodules of legumes. They take nitrogen gas and change it into nitrates in the soil.
  2. Lightning can fix nitrogen gas by splitting bond between two atoms and turning them into nitrous oxides (N2O and NO2) that dissolve in rain water and leach into the soil.
• Plants absorb nitrate in soil and use nitrogen to make protein
• Animals eat plants and get nitrogen they need from the proteins in the plant or animal
• Waste (Urine and Faeces) from animals sends Nitrogen compounds as ammonium compounds into soil
• Dead animals and plants decay and all the protein within them is broken down into ammonium compounds and released into the soil
• Plant's can't absorb ammonium compounds - Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonium compounds into nitrates to be absorbed by plants to start cycle again.
• Denitrifying bacteria is found in poorly aerated soil. - farmers prevent this by ploughing and turning soil.
• Ammonification is when decomposers (fungi and bacteria) break down organic matter to convert Nitrogen compounds into ammonium compounds.
• Carbon is taken out of the atmosphere in the form of CO2 by plants to be used by photosynthesis.
• Carbon is also passed to animals (and microorganisms) by feeding
• Carbon is returned to atmosphere by respiration
• Decomposing microorganisms from decomposers (bacteria and fungi) release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere
• Carbon sequestration: Certain microbes contribute - helping stablise and store organic carbon in the soil, reducing amount of carbon released in atmosphere.