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Living in the water, and nearly everywhere else on Earth, are tiny, microscopic organisms

called microorganisms or microbes.

They have existed for at least 3,500 million years and were the only living things on Earth

for the majority of that time.,, Different types include bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa,

algae, and viruses.

Microbes are able to survive in harsh environments like hot springs, the Dead Sea, and Antarctic

ice, as well as ordinary places like swamps, rivers, and soil.,

And there are a whole lot of them out there.

Overall, they make up about 17 percent of Earth's total biomass, which is the weight

of every living thing here.

In the sea alone they are extremely abundant.

In all of the world's oceans, they make up 98 percent of the total ocean biomass., Yeah,

there are millions upon millions of tiny little communities that you probably haven't even thought

about!

While not all microbes are harmful, there are definitely some to watch out for that

cause foodborne illnesses, and infectious diseases.

These include the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, that can cause tuberculosis, the protozoan

Plasmodium, which causes Malaria, the fungus Trichophyton rubrum, which causes ringworm,

and the virus Varicella zoster, which causes Chickenpox.

These and other disease-causing microbes are called pathogens.

If we come into contact with them and they enter our bodies, they can cause an infection

by damaging our cells and could even challenge our immune system by killing or disrupting

cell or tissue function..,,

Some of these harmful microbes can make their way into drinking water through feces and

cause diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery., The World Health Organization

estimates that over two billion people around the world use a drinking water source that

is contaminated by feces, resulting in nearly half a million deaths.

But, as I said, not all microorganisms are bad.

In fact, without them, we wouldn't have pizza bagels!

Fungi like yeast are used to make bread and beer, and mold is used to make some cheeses.

And, because microbes create oxygen while processing greenhouse gases, they could potentially

be an option for fighting climate change.

Scientists have already found a way to use E. coli bacteria to make biofuels.

Marine microbes play a big role in maintaining the health of coral reefs and the recycling

of their nutrients.

They also help clean our own water at wastewater treatment plants, where they are used to eat

biodegradable materials.,

Helpful microbes can even be found closer than you may think.

On and inside our bodies are trillions of microorganisms., Some of these microbes help

with digestion, protect you from infection, and maintain your reproductive health.

That's right the tiny communities living on and inside you are working very hard!

No need to panic about that thought at all.

But just because they are helpful ones, that doesn't mean you shouldn't protect yourself

from potentially harmful microorganisms.

So, remember to wash your hands often, keep your immunizations up to date, and make sure

your drinking water is clean.,,

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