Lesson ⁦3-2⁩: Life Processes in Microorganisms

Science · Sixth Grade, Primary · Unit 3: Life Processes in Plants and Microorganisms · First Semester

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What will you learn in this lesson?

Microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, and protists can only be seen with a microscope, yet they feed, respire, and reproduce. In this lesson you learn their life processes, how they are useful in making bread and yogurt, and the harm some of them cause.

  • Describes the characteristics of microorganisms such as bacteria, protists, and microscopic fungi
  • Compares ways of reproducing: fission in bacteria and budding in yeast
  • Explains that bread dough rises because of the carbon dioxide gas released by yeast
  • Names the benefits and harms of microorganisms for humans

💡 Tip: Don't mix the two up: bacteria have no nucleus and reproduce by fission, while yeast is a fungus with a nucleus that usually reproduces by budding.

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Worked examples from the Life Processes in Microorganisms lesson questions

What do we call living things that can be seen only with a microscope?
  • Microorganisms
  • Producers
  • Vertebrates
  • Flowering plants
✓ Microorganisms
Microorganisms are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye, such as bacteria and protists.
Which of the following is a microorganism whose cell has no nucleus?
  • Bacteria
  • Amoeba
  • Paramecium
  • Yeast
✓ Bacteria
A bacterial cell has no nucleus, and its genetic material is found in the cytoplasm.
Show more examples (3)
How do bacteria usually reproduce?
  • By binary fission
  • By seeds
  • By flower spores
  • By tubers
✓ By binary fission
A bacterial cell divides into two identical cells, and this is called binary fission.
Which microorganism is used in making bread to make the dough rise?
  • Yeast
  • Amoeba
  • Euglena
  • Paramecium
✓ Yeast
Yeast is a single-celled fungus that breaks down sugar and produces carbon dioxide gas, which makes the dough rise.
Which gas does yeast release that makes dough rise?
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Oxygen
  • Nitrogen
  • Hydrogen
✓ Carbon dioxide
Yeast breaks down sugar to get energy, giving off carbon dioxide, which forms bubbles in the dough.

FAQ about the Life Processes in Microorganisms lesson

Why does bread dough rise when yeast is added?

Because the yeast feeds on the sugar in the dough and releases carbon dioxide gas, which forms tiny bubbles that lift the dough and make it light and fluffy.

Are all bacteria harmful?

No, many are helpful, such as the bacteria that turn milk into yogurt, those that break down the remains of living things in the soil, and those that live in our intestines and help with digestion. Some of them do cause diseases.

How do I study the lesson Life Processes in Microorganisms and test myself on it?

Start the lesson quiz on Study with Ghada: 10 questions from the Science Sixth Grade, Primary question bank. After each answer you'll see the right answer with an explanation, and any questions you miss move to “Review my mistakes” until you master them.

Are Study with Ghada quizzes free and aligned with the curriculum?

Yes, completely free. They're built on the Science - Grade 6 - Semester 1 lessons in the same order as the book, and every question is reviewed and approved by a teacher before students see it.

Unit 3 lessons: Life Processes in Plants and Microorganisms