Useful and Harmful Microbes
Microbes can be beneficial, aiding processes like fermentation and medicine production, or harmful, causing diseases and food spoilage.
Core concept
Beneficial microbes are used in food production, like yeast for bread and bacteria for yoghurt and cheese fermentation processes.
How it works
Microbes also help produce antibiotics, like penicillin from fungi, and are used in biotechnology for various medical applications.
Why it matters
Harmful microbes cause diseases in humans, animals, and plants, spreading through various means and requiring prevention measures.
Key detail
Understanding both beneficial and harmful microbes helps us harness their advantages while protecting against their negative effects.
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Quick notes
• Beneficial microbes: food production.
• Yeast for bread, bacteria for yoghurt/cheese.
• Microbes produce antibiotics like penicillin.
• Used in biotechnology, medical applications.
• Harmful microbes: cause diseases.
• In humans, animals, plants.
• They spread through various means.
• Understanding both helps harness benefits, prevent harm.