Microorganisms

Essential Ideas: 

Some microorganisms cause disease and some are beneficial. 

Microorganisms are evolving constantly.

Microorganisms are all around us and inside of us. 

Learning Objectives: 

Cells and Pathogens 

1. Differentiate between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and viruses based on their structural differences

2. Describe the historical development of the cell theory, highlighting the contributions of scientists like Robert Hooke, Matthias Schleiden, Theodor Schwann, and Rudolf Virchow 

3. Define pathogens as microorganisms that can cause disease in humans, animals, or plants 

4. Classify microorganisms  into the different groups of bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa 

5. Identify common types of pathogens and their modes of transmission 

Transmission and Cause of Disease 

6. Explain the mechanisms by which pathogens invade host organisms and cause infections 

7. Determine that the skin and mucous membranes form a primary defence against pathogens that cause infectious disease 

8. Analyze the impact of pathogens on public health and the development of strategies to prevent and control infectious diseases 

9. Relate the contribution of Semmelweis in controlling infection to solving modern problems with the spread of infection in hospitals 

10. Evaluate the work of Pasteur with pathogens in milk 

Immunity 

11. Explain the role of the immune system in the defence against disease. 

12. Understand that antibiotics cannot be used to treat viral infections 

13. Evaluate the consequences of mutations in bacteria and viruses in relation to pandemics 

14. Explain how overuse of antibiotics may lead to selection of resistant strains of bacteria 

15. Describe the growth of bacterial populations using mathematical terminology 

16. Explain how vaccination will prevent illness in an individual, and how the spread of pathogens can be reduced by immunising a large proportion of the population 

Human Microbiome 

17. Explain the significance of the human microbiome in influencing health, physiology, metabolism, immunity, and the development of diseases. 

18. Apply knowledge related to cells, body systems, genetic factors, and environmental influences to explain how the microbiome affects human health. 

19. Identify the beneficial roles of microbes in food production