Microscopic organisms, commonly

known as microorganisms or
microbes, are found all around us
and even inside our bodies. The
category ‘Microbes’ includes a
massive range of organisms
including bacteria, fungi, viruses,
algae, archaea and protozoa. Some
of these, such as bacteria and fungi,
are well known, but others such as
archaea much less so.
THERE MAINLY 4 TYPES OF MYCROORGANISMS.
 BACTERIA
 FUNGI
 ALGAE
 PROTOZOA
Bacteria are microscopic, single-
celled organisms that thrive in
diverse environments. These
organisms can live in soil, the
ocean and inside the human gut.
Humans' relationship with bacteria
is complex. Sometimes bacteria
lend us A helping hand, such as
by curdling milk into yogurt or
helping with our digestion. In other
cases, bacteria are destructive,
causing diseases like pneumonia
and methicillin-
resistant staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA).
Structure
Bacteria (singular: bacterium) are classified as
prokaryotes, which are single-celled organisms with
a simple internal structure that lacks a nucleus, and
contains DNA that either floats freely in a twisted,
thread-like mass called the nucleoid, or in separate,
circular pieces called plasmids. Ribosomes are the
spherical units in the bacterial cell where proteins
are assembled from individual amino acids using the
information encoded in ribosomal RNA.
Fungi
Fungi can be single celled or very complex multicellular organisms. They
are found in just about any habitat but most live on the land, mainly in
soil or on plant material rather than in sea or fresh water. A group called
the decomposers grow in the soil or on dead plant matter where they
play an important role in the cycling of carbon and other elements.
Some are parasites of plants causing diseases such as mildews, rusts,
scabs or canker. In crops fungal diseases can lead to significant monetary
loss for the farmer. A very small number of fungi cause diseases in
animals. In humans these include skin diseases such as athletes’ foot,
ringworm and thrush.
Types of fungi
Fungi are subdivided on the basis of their life cycles, the
presence or structure of their fruiting body and the
arrangement of and type of spores (reproductive or
distributional cells) they produce.

The three major groups of fungi are:

multicellular filamentous moulds

macroscopic filamentous fungi that form large fruiting
bodies. Sometimes the group is referred to as ‘mushrooms’,
but the mushroom is just the part of the fungus we see above
ground which is also known as the fruiting body.
single celled microscopic yeasts
Algae can exist as single cells, an example of which is
Chlamydomonas, or joined together in chains like Spirogyra or
made up of many cells,for instance Rhodymenia (red
seaweed).
Most algae live in fresh or sea water where they can either be free-
floating (planktonic) or attached to the bottom. Some algae can grow on
rocks, soil or vegetation as long as there is enough moisture. A few algae
form very close partnerships with fungi to form lichens. Unusual algal
habitats are the hairs of the South American Sloth and Polar bears.
All algae contain a pigment called chlorophyll a (other types of
chlorophyll such as b, c and / or d may also be present) and they make
their own food by photosynthesis. The chlorophyll is contained in the
chloroplasts and gives many algae their green appearance. However
some algae appear brown, yellow or red because in addition to
chlorophylls they have other accessory pigments that camouflage the
green colour.
Diatoms a type of algae, are found floating in the phytoplankton of the
seas. Their cell walls contain a hard substance called silica. When the
diatoms die they sink to the floor. Their soft parts decay and the silica
cell wall remains. Over time the pressure of the seawater pushes the
silica together to form one large layer. This silica is mined from the
seabed, crushed and used in abrasives and polishes such as toothpaste.