MICROBIOLOGY - M.H. Serhiichuk - 2008

Chapter 8. MICROORGANISMS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Microorganisms are cosmopolitans that inhabit seemingly the most inaccessible corners of the globe. They are found at the upper Structure/21.html">Limits of the biosphere (20 km and above), deep within the Earth, in the depths of seas and oceans, in hot geysers, and in the ice of Antarctica.

Such widespread DISTRIBUTION OF MICROORGANISMS in nature is facilitated by their biological features, namely: high adaptability to environmental conditions; unique metabolic properties; rapid reproduction; relatively high resistance to Physical and Chemical factors; and small Cell mass, which enables their dispersal by air currents.

Thus, looking at the world through the eyes of a microbiologist, one can see that there are practically no natural environments where microorganisms are absent. The renowned Russian microbiologist V. Omeliansky wrote that billions of microorganisms are scattered throughout nature and surround us everywhere. Invisible, they constantly accompany human life, intervening either as foes or as friends. They are present in large quantities in the food we eat, the Water we drink, and the air we breathe. The objects surrounding us, our clothing, our bodies—all of these literally teem with microbes.