Microorganism

A microorganism or microbe is an organism that is so small that it is microscopic (invisible to the naked eye). Microorganisms are often illustrated using single-celled, or unicellular organisms; however, some unicellular protists are visible to the naked eye, and some multicellular species are microscopic. The study of microorganisms is called microbiology.

Habitats and ecology

Microorganisms are found everywhere in nature. Even in hostile environments, like the poles, deserts, geysers, rocks, and the deep sea, some types of microorganisms have adapted to the extreme conditions and sustained colonies; these organisms are known as extremophiles. Some extremophiles have been known to survive for a prolonged time in a vacuum, and some can be unusually resistant to radiation.

Related Topics:
Poles - Desert - Geyser - Rock - Deep sea - Extremophiles - Vacuum - Radiation

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Microorganisms are used in brewing, baking, biotechnology, recycling of other organisms' remains and waste products, and many other processes. They can also be harmful as pathogens when, as parasites, they cause infections.

Related Topics:
Brewing - Baking - Biotechnology - Pathogen - Parasite - Infection

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Microorganisms have an important place in all ecosystems and in most higher-order multicellular organisms. For mankind they are important because they participate in the earth's element cycles (such as the Carbon cycle, and because of their use in the creation of certain types of food, medicines and biological weapons.

Related Topics:
Ecosystems - Carbon cycle - Food - Medicines - Biological weapons

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