Flashcards on Fundamentele Natuurwetenskappe
Fundamentele Natuurwetenskappe: Oorsig vir Studente
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Micro-organisms roles and types
27 cards
Card 1
Question: What essential roles do micro-organisms play in ecosystems according to the content?
Answer: They maintain healthy ecosystems by decomposing dead organic matter and helping cycle nutrients back into the soil.
Card 2
Question: What are decomposers and which micro-organisms act as them?
Answer: Decomposers are organisms that feed on remains of dead plants and animals; bacteria and fungi act as decomposers.
Card 3
Question: What is decomposition in the context of micro-organisms?
Answer: Decomposition is the process where bacteria and fungi break down (digest) the remains of a dead organism, releasing stored nutrients into the soil.
Card 4
Question: How does decomposition by micro-organisms affect soil fertility?
Answer: Decomposition releases nutrients into the soil that were stored in the organism’s body, helping to keep soil fertile so new plants can grow strong.
Card 5
Question: What would happen to dead plants and animals and soil fertility if there were no micro-organisms?
Answer: Dead plants and animals would not decompose, nutrients would not be released, and soil would become infertile.
Card 6
Question: Give examples of human uses of micro-organisms in food production mentioned in the content.
Answer: Humans use micro-organisms to brew beer, make wine, bake bread, pickle foods, and ferment products like yogurt and cheese.
Card 7
Question: How is yogurt produced using micro-organisms?
Answer: Yogurt is made by the action of special bacteria in milk.
Card 8
Question: How is certain cheese flavour produced using micro-organisms?
Answer: Some cheeses use fungi added during production to give a strong flavour; an example is blue cheese (Roquefort).
Card 9
Question: How are micro-organisms used in medicine according to the content?
Answer: Most antibiotics are obtained from micro-organisms; for example, penicillin is made by the fungus Penicillium.
Card 10
Question: What are pathogens as defined in the content?
Answer: Pathogens are micro-organisms that cause diseases, which can sometimes lead to death.