Microorganisms are very useful to us. They help us in following ways:
(i) Microorganisms help us in food sector. They are used for curdling of milk, preparation of bread, cake, etc.
(ii) Microorganisms are used to increase the fertility of the soil by fixing the atmospheric nitrogen with the help of blue-green algae and Rhizobium.
(iii) Microorganisms are used to produce alcohol at large scale on a commercial basis.
(iv) Antibiotics which are obtained from microorganisms are used to control the diseases.
(v) Bacteria are used in the production of vinegar, curd, cheese, etc.
(vi) Microbes also play an important role in the preparation of medicines. Antibiotics are chemicals produced by micro-organisms to kill bacteria. Penicillin is an antibiotic made from Penicillium.
(vii) Microorganisms are used to prepare vaccines for various diseases.
(viii) Many vaccines are prepared from micro-organisms. These vaccines are given to children to protect them from disease.
(ix) They work as natural cleaners, as they decompose the dead bodies of plants and animals.
(x) Microorganisms prepare manures by decomposing dead bodies of plants and animals.
