Biology Student
EQ: Why do you want bacteria living inside you?
The Good, the Bad
and the Ecological
(Foldable)
Targeted Skills
compare and contrast, organizing information
Enduring Understanding
Organisms are composed of systems working together to maintain
homeostasis.
Broad Brush Knowledge
infectious disease
Concepts Important to Know and Understand
Helpful and Harmful Microorganisms
Core Objectives
14. Describe how microorganisms affect other organisms.
PURPOSE: To emphasize the helpful, harmful and ecological aspects of microorganisms. Students will
create a two-page layered–look booklet for comparing bacteria, fungi and protists. The emphasis of this
foldable will be how microorganisms help maintain or disrupt equilibrium in organisms and/or ecosystems.
MATERIALS: White paper (8½” X 11”) – 2 sheets per student, map pencils, ruler, scissors, stapler,
pen/pencil, textbook, Cells of the Six Kingdoms Foldable
1.
2.
The Good, the Bad and the Ecological Foldable - Student (Revised June 15, 2004)
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PROCEDURE:
1. Vertically stack two sheets of paper (8½” X 11”) so that the back
sheet is one inch higher than the front sheet.
2. Bring the bottom of both sheets upward and align the edges so
Staple here
that all of the layers or tabs are the same distance apart.
4.
3. When all tabs are an equal distance apart, fold the papers and
crease well.
4. Staple the papers together on the outer edge of the fold.
5. Using a ruler, measure across the width of the paper. You will
need to divide the 8½” paper into 3 columns. Each column will
be approximately 2¾” wide.
6. Use scissors to cut the foldable into three columns. Cut the top
6.
Title
3 flaps. Do not cut the bottom sheet. Cut from the bottom of the
top three papers up to about 1” from the top (crease) of the foldable.
See your teacher’s model if you are unclear on the directions.
7. Label your foldable. See next page for the appropriate way to label the
foldable. Label the inside of each of the flaps with the kingdom names
as well.
8. Highlight or color the titles so that they stand out on the page.
9. On the outside of the top flap, draw representative organisms for each of the 3 kingdoms. You can
refer to your textbook or your foldable from the Cells of the Six Kingdoms.
10. The inside of the first top flap should be titled “The Good”. In this section, list beneficial aspects of
organisms from this kingdom. Emphasize how each kingdom of organisms maintains equilibrium in
organisms or ecosystems.
11. The inside of the second, middle flap should be titled “The Bad”. In this section, list harmful aspects
of this kingdom. Emphasize how these organisms disrupt equilibrium in organisms or ecosystems.
12. The inside of the third, bottom flap should be titled “The Ecological”. In this section, list the
ecological roles that these microorganisms play in the environment. Information may be repeated
from the previous sections as ecological roles may be beneficial or harmful.
(printed 2/12/2016) p. 1
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE ECOLOGICAL
FUNGI
BACTERIA
PROTISTS
THE GOOD…
THE BAD…
THE BAD…
THE BAD…
THE ECOLOGICAL…
THE ECOLOGICAL…
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THE GOOD…
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THE GOOD…
THE ECOLOGICAL…
CONCLUSION: (Answer the following questions on your own notebook paper in complete
sentences.)
1. Explain how bacteria in the human intestine help maintain health. Define symbiosis and explain the
type of symbiosis exhibited in the relationship between the intestinal bacteria and humans.
2. Summarize how Plasmodium can cause a major disruption in the equilibrium of a human population.
3. Summarize the role of a red tide in disrupting an ecosystem.
4. Describe the major role of fungi in an ecosystem.
5. Summarize the role of fungi in disrupting the equilibrium in an ecosystem. Give one specific example.
6. What might happen to a garden if it were sprayed with a long-acting fungicide?
7. Fungi, bacteria and some protists all carry out a common ecological role. What is it and describe its
importance in maintaining equilibrium in ecosystems.
The Good, the Bad and the Ecological Foldable - Student (Revised June 15, 2004)
(printed 2/12/2016) p. 2