Good Microorganisms

S5L4 Students will relate how microorganisms benefit or harm larger organisms.
a. Identify beneficial microorganisms and explain why they are beneficial.
b. Identify harmful microorganisms and explain why they are harmful.

Yeast

Often times kids think that all microorganisms are bad, because bacteria and viruses can make you sick. Believe it or not there are more good microorganisms than harmful ones. This video experiments with a microorganism that helps make something delicious--bread. Check out the experiment with yeast below and see if you can then come up with your own experiment that you would like to try.

After watching the yeast experiment you may want to learn a little bit more about bacteria in food. There's a video on that too!

Other Types of Helpful Microorganisms

Yogurt--Bacteria is what curdles the yogurt and makes it yogurt.
Cheese--Bacteria curdles the dairy products that make cheese.
Detergents--Tiny microorganisms called diatoms give detergents their cleaning power.
Compost--Microorganisms cause old plants and leaves to rot and decay, which creates fertile soil for planting new plants. Learn about composting here.
Mouth Germs--There are many germs in your mouth that are there to help fight off bad invaders and keep you healthy.
Vitamin K--Some germs help make Vitamin K, which helps stop the bleeding when you get cut.
Vaccines--Some germs are used to make vaccines, which help keep you from getting sick. Check out the bad microorganisms page to learn more about vaccines.
Digestion--Some bacteria help you digest your food.

Useful Links

• Complete this interactive activity from Science Kids, to learn about how different types of microorganisms affect your life. You'll also learn which ones are helpful and which ones to avoid.

• BBC has created a very kid friendly overview of microorganisms that you can visit here.
  
• Microbe Zoo, provides information about microorganisms, where you can find them and what they do.