Microorganisms, Infectious Diseases

By: Jose Acosta

Essential Standards

8.L.1.1 Summarize the basic characteristics of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites relating to the spread, treatment and prevention of disease.


8.L.1.2 Explain the difference between epidemic and pandemic as it relates to the spread, treatment and prevention of disease

What is Microbiology?

What is Microbiology?

Def: A branch of scientist concerned on different microscopic life forms, such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.


Student def: The microscopic research of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.
What are viruses and how does it spread?

What are viruses and how does it spread?

  • A virus is a non-living that can change mutate. It infects a host cell and replicates to cause illness and disease.
  • A person can spread it by coughing / sneezing or by human contact.
What is fungi and how does it spread?

What is fungi and how does it spread?

  • A single-celled or multi-cellular organism that can decompose or absorb organic matter. EX: mushroom, yeast, or mold.
  • Fungi can release spores, where it can spread through air, water, or on animals.
What is bacteria and how does it spread?

What is bacteria and how does it spread?

  • Single-celled prokaryotes that can cause disease. Multiply rapidly and can form colonies.
  • A person can spread it by coughing / sneezing or by human contact.
What are parasites and how do they spread?

What are parasites and how do they spread?

  • An organism that lives in or on another organism called a host, taking nutrients and often harming it in the process. EX: fleas, ticks, mosquito
  • The parasites just spread by reproducing more of them selves.