Some micro-organisms especially bacteria and fungi are beneficial to man in three major ways: in medicine, in nature, in industries.
In Medicine
1. Manufacturing of drugs and vaccines: micro-organisms are used in medicine for the Manufacturing of drugs, antibodies and vaccines which help in curing many human disease e.g. penicillin an antibiotic is obtained from penucilium notatun (a fungus) and streptomycin another antibiotic obtained from a bacterium called streptomyces griseus.
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| Drugs |
2. Source of vitamin B: yeast and certain bacteria are rich source of vitamin B complex
3. Source of enzymes: certain yeast and bacteria are also rich source of enzymes Like amylase and invertase.
In Nature
1. Decomposition: micro-organisms, especially saprophytic bacteria help the decomposition of dead plants and animals and also decomposers help to break down dead organic matter and release simple chemical compounds which plants can absorb and use again. Examples of decomposers are insects such as termite, fungi and bacteria.
2. Nitrogen fixation: Certain bacteria (Rhizobium Leguminosarium) aid nitrogen fixation into plants through the root nodules of leguminous plants.
3. digestion of cellulose: some bacteria living in the rumen of animals Like cattle, sheep and goats help such animals to digest cellulose in the rumen.
In Industries
1. Making of yoghurt and cheese: certain bacteria are used in food processing such as vinegar and cheese.
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| Yeast |
2. In baking: fungus such as yeast is useful in baking industries All over the world as It causes dough to rise in bread and other allied food processing.
3. Tanning of hides and skin: the Action of bacteria is useful in the conversion of hides and skin to leather during the tanning process.
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