8. MICROBES IN HUMAN WELFARE
Microbes play a crucial role in various aspects of human welfare, including food production, industrial processes, sewage treatment, energy generation, pest control, and soil fertility. They contribute to transforming raw materials into consumable products such as curd, fermented beverages, and antibiotics. The utilization of microbes in agriculture for biocontrol and biofertilizers highlights their importance in sustainable practices and reducing environmental pollution.
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What we have learnt
- Microbes are not only responsible for diseases but also significantly contribute to human welfare through various applications.
- Lactic acid bacteria are used to convert milk into curd, enhancing its nutritional quality.
- Biogas plants utilizing methanogens provide a renewable energy source and help recycle organic waste.
Key Concepts
- -- Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB)
- Microbes that convert lactose in milk into lactic acid, thereby coagulating the milk to form curd.
- -- Biogas
- A mixture of gases, predominantly methane, produced through microbial activity during the anaerobic digestion of organic materials.
- -- Biocontrol Agents
- Natural predators, parasitoids, or pathogens used to manage agricultural pests and reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides.
- -- Biofertilizers
- Microbial inoculants that enhance nutrient availability in soil and promote plant growth through processes such as nitrogen fixation.
- -- Antibiotics
- Chemical substances produced by microbes that inhibit the growth of or kill pathogenic bacteria.
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