i. What are microbes/microorganisms?
Microorganisms or microbes are tiny living things that cannot be seen with the unaided eye. Because they can only be seen under a microscope, these are referred to as microbes. These can both be beneficial and detrimental. Pathogens are the dangerous ones.
They fall into one of five groups: bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and some types of algae. Microorganisms can be multicellular, like many algae and fungi, or single-celled, like bacteria, some algae, and protozoa.
They exist inside the bodies of animals, including humans, and can live in a variety of environments. While some can live independently, others must grow on other organisms to survive.