Microorganisms

Microorganisms

Microorganisms are an example of organisms on the earth, which are the smallest. Microorganisms may be classified as either prokaryotic cells or even eukaryotic cells, single or multicellular. Prokaryotic microorganisms are categorized into either bacteria or archaea. These prokaryotic cells lack the nucleus as the extra material which is supposed to hold the DNA of the cells. These make them smaller than any other cell. These cells are classified as single. Also, there are Eukaryotic microorganisms. These microorganisms’ cells are larger than those of the prokaryotic cells. These cells are seen to have a well-packed nucleus. It has structures that make these cells to be self-sufficient. Some of the examples of this type of microorganisms are fungi, algae, and many more. Also, viruses are other examples of organisms. Infections are seen to be smaller than the prokaryotic cells. These microorganisms consist of a little material that is covered with a protein capsule. Viruses are seen and known not to reproduce on their own, as many microorganisms do. They rely on an injection from the host so that they can reproduce.

Microorganisms live in many different environments. Microorganisms are seen to live under a temperature which is below -20 degrees Celsius. They can also live to a temperature which is hotter than the boiling point. Microorganisms grow at a vast rate on foods and even on litter that has ben disposed of. Some microorganisms live ice, and when they are exposed to the room temperature, they die. There are those that liv eon the soil, rocks, toxic waste, on the earth surface, and many more areas. Microorganisms require water so that they can reproduce, and hence whenever there is water, there are microorganisms.  There exist many watery environments in which microorganisms live and grow in. Examples include freshwaters, salty waters, and they choose to live on salty waters, which has three times the concentration of salt in the lakes.

They can also grow in areas that have oxygen and those that do not have oxygen.  In the ponds, microorganisms such as algae flourish at an increasing rate. Also, in the lakes and rivers, they grow at the bottom. Many of the microorganisms are found not to thrive in areas that are not highly concentrated with salt. Extensively, microbes live and grow in the atmosphere. Here they occupy the most significant space of the atmosphere. These microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa, and many more float on the air. There are some of the microorganism that breath other substances apart from the oxygen. These microbes are found to breath nitric acid, arsenic so that they can produce their energy. Still, one can discover microorganisms that are flourishing in environments that appear to be harmful to human beings. In this environment, these organisms are seen to remove the toxin, such as pesticides, and also the oils.

Environmental engineers are the ones that handle the ways that can be used to treat thermal waste, chemical, and also biological waste.  Also, these are the people who are depended on to provide ways in which people can prevent pollution. Environmental engineers are interested in microorganisms since there are different reasons. One, pathogenic microorganisms cause dangers to the people. This type of microorganism causes diseases, and there is every need for it to be eliminated in the environment. Elimination of these bacteria will lead to the protection of public health. Also, there are other organisms, such as catalytic microorganisms.  This microorganism transforms the pollutants. Environmental engineers are interested in these microorganisms, and hence, they encourage people in different ways that they are going to clean the environment. The other type of bacteria that is of interest to environmental engineers is the nuisance microorganisms. These types of microorganisms make it difficult for environmental engineers to perform their operations. Hence, they are of interest since they need to be controlled and also monitored.

Environmental engineers need to identify the microorganism that they are handling. For instance, when environmental engineers need to clean water, they first identify microorganism that is in the waters. Then after identifying the microorganism, they come up with the strategy that they are going to use to disinfect the microorganisms. With that, they can protect public health. Also, environmental engineers can know the population of the microorganisms. This will help them in understanding the mathematical models that are used to size their operations. Furthermore, environmental engineers are interested in microorganisms as they are able to know the best strategy that they are going to use to eliminate the microorganisms based on their population.