How can Microbes be Useful to Us?

Microorganisms are beneficial to humankind in the following ways:

1. Nutrient Cycling: Microbes break down complex organic matter into simpler forms. This process aids in nutrient cycling ensuring the availability of complex nutrients to the plants and other simpler organisms maintaining the overall health of the ecosystem.
2. Soil Fertility: Microbes can enhance soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen in symbiotic association with the roots of higher plants. By the process of nitrogen fixation, atmospheric nitrogen is converted in ammonia which is an available form of nitrogen to the plants leading to rapid growth of plants.
3. Agriculture: Microbes residing in the soil establish symbiotic relationships with the roots of the higher plant contributing to their growth and productivity. Fungi in association with the roots of plants is known as mycorrhiza and it helps in providing nutrients to the plants from soil.
4. Fermentation and Food Industry: Bacteria and yeasts play a significant role in food fermentation process. Food items such as yoghurt, cheese, bread, idli and fermented beverages are used to enhance the nutritional profiles, texture, and flavour of the food.
5. Production of Probiotics: Beneficial bacteria which are known to improve human gut health are known as probiotics and they support good microbes in the gut. Probiotics help in digestion of the food, absorption of nutrients and boosting the immune system.
6. Production of Antibiotics: Microbes produce certain chemical compounds during their metabolic processes known as antibiotics which help in controlling infection caused by other pathogenic or disease-causing microorganisms. Microbes are also used in the production of vaccines.

Some beneficial role of the microbes are listed in the table:

Microorganisms are microscopic life forms that are ubiquitous. They can be unicellular or multicellular and are beneficial to humankind, but they can be harmful as well. Microbes can be beneficial as they play diverse roles in nutrient cycling, food fermentation, antibiotic production, and many more.

On the other hand, they are also responsible for causing diseases in humans and animals, food spoilage, and posing environmental challenges. Microorganism examples are bacteria, protozoa, algae, and fungi.