Microorganisms
Microorganisms for kids
This lesson, microorganisms for kids, will teach you about a great deal of the extremely tiny organisms that can only be seen through a microscope.
What are microorganisms?
Microorganisms are very tiny living things that can be seen only with a microscope. They are single-celled organisms such as bacteria. They can help you or hurt you. You need a microscope to see them.
What is the other name given to microorganisms?
Another name for microorganisms is Microbes
- Bacteria
- Fungus
- Viruses
What are ‘germs’?
Microorganisms that cause diseases and make us ill are often called germs.
Where can microorganisms live?
Microorganisms can live all around us, in the air, in our bodies and in water.
Are all microorganisms harmful?
Some micro-organisms are harmful to us, but others are helpful to us.
- Mushrooms
- Toadstools
- The moulds that grow on stale bread and rotting fruits (we can notice them only if lots of them are growing together)
Mushrooms
Toadstool
Mouldy Cheese
Mushrooms – Some mushrooms can be eaten. There are many colourful kinds of fungi which are poisonous, although they do help materials to decay away, but they cannot be eaten.
Moulds – Moulds are small fungi, which cause bread and other organic materials to decay away.
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