What Are Microbes?

Microbes are very small living organisms, so small that most of them are invisible. The majority of them can only be seen with a microscope, which magnifies their image so we can see them. Did you know that microbes are so tiny you would find over a million in a teaspoon of soil? They make up more than 60 % of the Earth’s living matter and scientists estimate that 2 to 3 billion species of microbes live on the planet with us.

Microbes (also known as microorganisms) play a vital role in our lives. Although there are some microbes that can cause disease, most microbes are completely harmless, and we couldn’t live without them. These microscopic organisms play a major role in maintaining life on earth and breaking down dead plant and animal matter into simpler substances that are used at the beginning of the food chain.

Microbes affect every aspect of life on earth. They have an amazing variety of shapes and sizes and can exist in a wide range of habitats from hot springs to the icy wastes of Antarctica and inside the bodies of animals and plants.
 

Microbes eating food, oil and grease