KS2
Microbes
& Superbugs
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What we need to learn
• To understand what microbes are, what they
look like
• To understand how microbes spread and the
effect they have on the body
• To understand the importance of good hygiene
• To know the 5 steps to clean hands.
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What we will know
• I can name types of microbes and what their
features
• I know some of the illnesses microbes can
cause
• I can explain what is unhygienic behaviour and
how infection is spread
• I know the 5 steps to use when I clean
my hands.
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What is a Microbe?
•
Microbes are tiny living organisms, so tiny you
can’t see them without a microscope
•
There are 5 main types of microbes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Algae
Protozoa
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Did you know?
• Microbes are the oldest form of life on Earth. They've
been here for 3.8 billion years!
• Microbes produce more than half of all the oxygen we
breathe!
• Microbes are the ultimate survivors: they are found just
about everywhere on Earth!
• A litre of coastal seawater can contain a billion or more
microbes!
• Did you know that a teaspoon of soil contains 1
million bacteria, 120,000 fungi and 25,000 algae.
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Bacteria
• A bacterium (that’s one bacteria)
is a simple creature made of
just one cell
• Bacteria are no more than one thousandth of
a millimetre long – that’s tiny!
• Many bacteria have a long spinning tail
that helps them move around.
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Viruses
• Viruses are the smallest of all
microbes
• Viruses are even smaller than
bacteria and need to live inside
cells to reproduce and spread infection
• Viruses like to live inside living things
like plants, animals and people.
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Fungi
• There are many types of fungi
including moulds, rusts, yeasts
and even mushrooms
• Fungi can live in water, in soil or
on a damp surface
• Fungi can live for hundreds of years.
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Algae
• Algae are small green
creatures made of a single cell
• They live in fresh or salt water or
damp soil
• Algae behave like plants because they
make their own food and are food for
animals.
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Protozoa
• Protozoa are single celled
microbes that are similar to
animals
• They live in water or moist soil, and even
humans
• They feed on bacteria, algae
and small animals.
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Helpful Microbes
• Bacteria:
– Helps your body digest food
– Breaks down dead plants and releases nutrients back to the soil
• Fungi:
– Yeast helps bread to rise
– A green mould (called Penicillium) was used to make the first
antibiotic medicine
• Algae:
– Releases oxygen when they make their own food
(like plants during photosynthesis)
• Protozoa:
– Breaks down sewage in water treatment plants.
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Harmful Microbes
Not all microbes are helpful, some can be
harmful by attacking the body and causing
illness and infection such as:
• Tummy Upsets
• Ear Infections
• Sore Throats
• Headaches
• Runny noses
• Coughs.
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Infection Control
Q. How can you stop infection from harmful
microbes from spreading?
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Infection Control
•
Catch sneezes and coughs in a tissue
•
Keep objects off the floor
•
Clean your hands.
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5 Steps to Clean Hands
Did you know that there are 5 steps to
cleaning your hands properly?
1. Wet
2. Soap
3. Wash
4. Rinse
5. Dry.
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Healthy Hands
Q. What will you do differently now to stop
microbes from spreading and help keep
yourself healthy?
Splat that Superbug!