Microbiology
.
1. Microorganism
– A very, very small living thing that we cannot see without a microscope.
2. Germ
– A tiny microorganism (like bacteria or a virus) that can make us sick.
3. Bacteria
– Very small living microorganisms made of one cell; some help us, some cause
disease.
4. Virus
– A very tiny microorganism that is not really alive and needs a host to
reproduce and can cause diseases like the flu.
5. Fungus
/ Fungi – Organisms like mold, yeast, or mushrooms; some are useful, some can
cause disease.
6. Cell
– The smallest part of a living thing; all plants, animals and people are made
of cells.
7. Nucleus
– The control center inside some cells that holds the genetic material.
8. Disease
– An illness in the body, when something is wrong and we do not feel well.
9. Flu
– A common disease caused by a virus that gives you fever, cough, and body
pain.
10. Chickenpox
– A disease caused by a virus that gives you itchy red spots on your skin.
11. Infection
– When germs enter the body and start to grow and cause disease.
12. Host
– A living thing (person, animal, plant) where a virus lives and reproduces.
13. Spread
– To move from one place or person to another (for example, when germs move
through air or touch).
14. Vector
– Something that carries germs from one living thing to another (for example, a
mosquito, water, air, or objects).
15. Vaccine
– A special medicine that helps the immune system learn to recognize a germ so
we do not get sick later.
16. Antibiotic
– A medicine used to kill harmful bacteria that cause infections.
17. Microscope
– A tool that makes very small things look big so we can see microorganisms.
18. Hygiene
– Habits that keep us clean and healthy, like washing hands and brushing teeth.
19. Healthy
– Feeling well, with a strong body and no disease.
20. Fermentation
– A process where microorganisms (like bacteria or yeast) change food and help
make products like yogurt and cheese.
Materials
- 1 plastic bottle
- 1 balloon
- Warm water
- 1 teaspoon of yeast
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
⚠️ The water must be warm, not hot.
Procedure (Steps)
- Pour warm water into the bottle.
- Add one tablespoon of sugar.
- Add one teaspoon of yeast.
- Mix slowly.
- Put the balloon on the bottle.
- Wait 10–15 minutes.
- Watch what happens.
Observations
- You see bubbles in the water.
- The balloon gets bigger.
- The mixture smells like bread.
|
Time |
Balloon |
Bubbles |
Notes |
|
0 minutes |
|
|
|
|
5 minutes |
|
|
|
|
10 minutes |
|
|
|
|
15 minutes |
|
|
|
Answer the questions:
- Is yeast alive?
- What does yeast eat?
- What gas does yeast make?
- Why does the balloon grow?
- What happens if there is no sugar?
Mold Growing on Bread
Safety Rules
Instructions
1. Write your name and the date on both plastic bags.
2. Put one dry slice of bread in the first bag.
3. Put a few drops of water on the second slice of
bread.
4. Put the wet bread in the second bag.
5. Close both bags very well.
6. Put the bags in a warm, dark place.
7. Observe the bread every day for 7 days.
8. Complete the observation chart.
Answer the following questions
1. What is mold?
______________________________________________
2. Which bread had more mold?
______________________________________________
3. Why did this bread grow mold faster?
______________________________________________
4. How many days did it take for mold to appear?
______________________________________________
5. Is it safe to eat moldy bread? Why or why not?
______________________________________________
