Life Sciences Gr.11 Lesson 5 Roles of Micro Organisms in Maintaining Balance in The Environment (Autosaved)

Life Sciences: Roles of viruses, bacteria, Protista
and fungi in maintaining balance in the environment

Grade 11
Lesson 5
Presenter: Dr Grizelda van Wyk
MICRO-ORGANISMS AS PRODUCERS IN FOOD CHAINS
• Autotrophic bacteria, phytoplankton and algae
can manufacture their own food by
photosynthesis.
• The carbohydrates they produce are available to

consumers.
• These organisms form the first link in a food

chain.
• Oxygen, the waste product of photosynthesis, is

made available to other organisms for respiration.
The role of micro-organisms as decomposers
 Bacteria and fungi are the
main decomposers.
 They break down dead
plant and animal remains
and return the nutrients to
the soil.
 Organisms which break
down dead organic matter
to obtain nutrients are
called saprophytes.
The role of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle
• Bacteria play an important

role in the nitrogen cycle.
 Free living bacteria can
convert atmospheric
nitrogen to ammonia and
nitrates.
The role of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle
• Higher plants can only use
nitrogen when it is in the form of
nitrates, so they rely on bacteria
for the conversion.
• Some plants form special
relationships with nitrogen fixing
bacteria.
• When plants and animals die, de-
nitrifying bacteria return nitrogen
to the atmosphere by a process
called denitrification.
SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS
Symbiosis refers to the living together of two or more species of
organism. A symbiotic relationship may benefit one or both members
or it can be beneficial to one but harmful to the other one.
Three types of symbiosis occur:
 MUTUALISM – both organisms benefit e.g., lichens

 COMMENSALISM – one species benefits whilst the other does not benefit, nor is it
harmed
 PARASITISM – one species benefits whilst the other is harmed
Mutualism: nitrogen fixing bacteria and plants
• Some nitrogen-fixing bacteria live in special nodules in the roots of legumes.
• They produce nitrates for the plant while the plant provides the bacterium with a habitat,
carbohydrates and water.
• Both the plant and the bacteria benefit in this relationship.
Nodules on the roots of a plant

Mutualism: Mycorrhizal fungi and the roots of higher plants
• Filamentous fungi known as mycorrhizas can penetrate and become
associated with the roots of higher plants.
• The fungi increase the absorption surface area of the roots. The fungus in
turn, gets sugars from the plant.
Mutualism: Lichens
• Algae need a moist environment to
survive and cannot live on dry land.
• They form a mutualistic relationship with
a fungus and this called a lichen.
• The fungus provides the alga protection
from the environment.
• Fungi in turn obtain nutrients from the
algae which can produce food by
photosynthesis.
Mutualism: E. coli bacteria and humans
HUMAN
QUESTIONS
1 Name the form of nitrogen which higher plants use. (1)
Nitrates 
2 Describe THREE ways in which nitrogen becomes
available to higher plants. (3)
• Lightening converts nitrogen and oxygen to
nitrates 
• free living soil bacteria can form nitrates 
• as can root nodule bacteria 
QUESTIONS
3 Briefly describe the ecological role of algae:

(a) as producers in ecosystems (3)
 play an important role in food chains of marine and freshwater

ecosystems
 they contain chlorophyll
 and synthesize their own organic food
 which is available as for other organisms in the ecosystem Any (2)
QUESTIONS
Briefly describe the ecological role of algae:
(b) in maintenance of oxygen-carbon dioxide balance
 during photosynthesis carbon dioxide is absorbed

 to produce organic food
 and oxygen is released to the atmosphere
Any 2
QUESTIONS
A type of bacterium called Escherichia coli (E.coli) normally lives in the large intestine of
humans. To determine whether E.coli is present in water, a chemical indicator is used. If the
chemical indicator changes from a clear red colour to a cloudy yellow colour, this indicates that
E.coli is present.
In an investigation conducted by a group of Grade 11 learners, samples taken from three rivers
(X, Y and Z) were investigated for the presence of E.coli. Samples were taken from each river
and put into glass bottles, which contained the clear red indicator solution. The bottles were
then incubated at 37°C for two days. Only river Y showed presence of E.coli.
Explain two safety precautions that the learners should take when conducting this investigation.
Wear rubber gloves ✓ to avoid contamination ✓.

Samples bottles should be attached to a string ✓ to prevent slipping
and falling in the river / drowning / contamination ✓
QUESTIONS
2. Suggest one reason for incubating the sample at 37°C.

Human body temperature at which the bacteria normally live ✓.
3. State how E.coli could have entered river Y.
Lack or absence of proper sewage system ✓

Human faeces contaminating the water ✓
THANK YOU

Life Sciences Gr.11 Lesson 5 Roles of Micro Organisms in Maintaining Balance in The Environment (Autosaved)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Life Sciences Gr.11 Lesson 5 Roles of Micro Organisms in Maintaining Balance in The Environment (Autosaved)

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Life Sciences Gr.11 Lesson 5 Roles of Micro Organisms in Maintaining Balance in The Environment (Autosaved)

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Life Sciences: Roles of viruses, bacteria, Protista

and fungi in maintaining balance in the environment

• The carbohydrates they produce are available to

• These organisms form the first link in a food

• Oxygen, the waste product of photosynthesis, is

• Bacteria play an important

Three types of symbiosis occur:

 MUTUALISM – both organisms benefit e.g., lichens

• Both the plant and the bacteria benefit in this relationship.

Nodules on the roots of a plant

3 Briefly describe the ecological role of algae:

 play an important role in food chains of marine and freshwater

 during photosynthesis carbon dioxide is absorbed

Wear rubber gloves ✓ to avoid contamination ✓.

2. Suggest one reason for incubating the sample at 37°C.

3. State how E.coli could have entered river Y.

Lack or absence of proper sewage system ✓

You might also like