What is a Microbe

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What is a Microbe?

• By Keith Woods

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What is a Microbe
What is a Microbe?
A minute life form a microorganism, especially a
bacterium that causes disease. Not in technical
use. These organisms are so small you cant see
them without a microscope but they are still
everywhere in air, soil, rock, and water. Some
live in freezing cold and some live in burning
hot. Some stay closer to humans and some stay
away from humans and close to animals.
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History of Microbes

• 1975  First cases of Lima disease reported
• 1981  Microbe identified
• 1989  The outer surface protein, OspA, found and
  cloned
• Early 1990s  Antibodies to OspA found in many
  chronic Lima disease patients.

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History of Microbes (cont.)

• 1990-1992  Vaccinations with OspA found to
  protect mice against Lima disease infection
• 1995  Lyme vaccine found safe and effective in
  persons with Lyme disease
• 1995-1998  Vaccine found safe and effective in
  people without Lyme disease
• 1998  FDA approves Lyme vaccine

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Different Types of Microbes

• Bacteria
• Archaea
• Fungi
• Protists
• Viruses

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Borrelia

• Borrelia burgdorferi Is its full name. This
  bacteria is known to live at extreme
  temperatures. This bacteria can also withstand
  100 times the radiation than humans are able too.

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Methanopyrus

• This microbe is a type of archaea. Archaea
  produces methane by combining carbon dioxide with
  hydrogen from rocks in geo-thermal springs and
  other hot spots. Its favorite spot to hang out is
  hot water.

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Fungal Hyphae

• These microbes are both Fungal Hyphae. These
  fungi like to hang around fruit and vegetables.
  The fungi here are multi-celled, this allows them
  to exploit the terrestrial habitat.

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Cyclotella

• The structure of these protists have a round drum
  shape. Most of these cells have long chitinous
  bristles thatll protect them from herbivores.
  There is over 100 species of protists.

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Ebola

• This microbe is a virus called Ebola. There are
  four of these viruses. Ebola-Zaire, Ebola-Sudan,
  and Ebola-Ivory Coast which affect humans if you
  come into contact with it. The fourth
  Ebola-Reston which only affects non human
  primates.

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Negative Effects

• Some microbes cause diseases like flu and
  malaria.
• Can cause diseases to plants and animals
• Nickname for microbes is germs
• Can cause some forms of cancer, coronary artery
  disease, diabetes,
• multiple sclerosis, autism, and chronic lung
  diseases.
• Some animals carry bacteria that are so small,
  but can still cause diseases such as lime disease