National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Zion National Park

Microorganisms The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

NPS/JONATHAN FORTNER Contents

Introduction 2

Background 2

Activities The Good Microorganisms in My Lunch 3 The Bad Microorganisms and Disease 4 The Ugly Bighorn Sheep Mystery 6

Glossary 7

References 7 Introduction

This guide contains background information about how microorganisms can be both good and bad, and directions for three activities that will help students better understand how microorganisms can be helpful and harmful. The activities are most benefcial to students when completed in order. This guide is specifcally designed for sixth grade classrooms, but the activities can be modifed for students at other levels. A separate activity guide, titled “What is a Microorganism?” provides a general introduction of microorganisms and their role in Zion National Park.

Theme to live. Microorganisms exist throughout the Microorganisms perform a variety of world, from Antarctica to your kitchen, from functions on Earth, both positive and negative. inside animals (like humans), to the expanse of wilderness in Zion National Park. Most are Focus good, others are bad, and a few are just plain This activity guide explores the good that ugly. microorganisms do in food production and the harm they can do in causing disease. A microorganism is defned as a living thing that is so small it must be viewed with a Activities microscope. Some microorganisms like viruses are so small they can only be seen The Good Microorganisms in with special electron microscopes. Note: the My Lunch Zion National Park curriculum guide “What Students will discover some of the is a Microorganism?” is available online for microorganisms that they eat in foods every teachers. It provides background information day by comparing their lunches to a list of and three activities for introducing the idea of microorganisms present in diferent foods. what microorganisms are. Activity Materials Many people are most familiar with the Corresponding materials The Bad Microorganisms and Disease which may include images, Each of the nine diseases listed in this activity microorganisms that cause diseases, such worksheets, and answer keys will be matched with their preventions and as certain types of bacteria and viruses. are provided for each activity. “Germs” is a general term for any type of Materials can be downloaded treatments. Students will receive a short microorganism (bacteria, protozoa, fungus, from the lesson plan webpage, explanation of a disease, prevention, or found here. treatment and will fnd their two matching or virus) that can harm people or other components of their group. animals. However, there are many good microorganisms such as those that help Core Connections us digest food, and those that are in food The Ugly Bighorn Sheep Mystery themselves. Utah Core Curriculum Students will read and analyze information Sixth Grade Science about an outbreak of disease in a population Microorganisms of all kinds can be found Standard 5: Students of bighorn sheep at Zion National Park and in Zion National Park and southern Utah. will understand that answer questions to identify the disease and Some microorganisms can actually be seen microorganisms range from its consequences. simple to complex, are found at work. Biological soil crust is built up into almost everywhere, and are fragile spires from fungi, algae, and bacteria. both helpful and harmful. Background Algae can also be seen tinting water green, such as in the Emerald Pools. In other cases, Objective 3: Identify positive microorganisms cannot be seen, such as and negative effects of Just as there are millions of diferent microorganisms and how species of plants and animals in the world, Giardia which lives in the Virgin River. science has developed positive there are millions of diferent species of uses for some microorganisms and overcome the negative microorganisms. Microorganisms can survive effects of others. in environments where humans are unable

Zion National Park, April 2014 Microorganisms 2 The Good Microorganisms Have students plan to pack a lunch, or arrange for pickup from the cafeteria, and in My Lunch bring their lunch to class. You can pretend you are taking a virtual feld trip to Zion Duration National Park and tell students to bring 60 Minutes, over two days blankets or other props for the picnic.

Location 2. On the second day, before the students pull Inside or outside out their lunches, decorate the classroom as if having a picnic (or go outside during nice DARKONE Key Vocabulary weather). Lay out blankets or tablecloths, microorganism, bacteria, fungi, algae put up a picture of Zion on the screen, and let students bring out things they like to Objectives have on picnics. Students will be able to list at least two foods 3. Have students brainstorm ways in that require microorganisms and become which microorganisms are important aware of how many types of foods rely on (decomposers, producers, part of food microorganisms. chain, cause disease, etc.). Mention that while sometimes microorganisms are Method feared, most of them are helpful—and NPS/BRYANNA PLOG Students will discover some of the most of us wouldn’t want to live in a world microorganisms that they eat in foods every without microorganisms. Explain how day by comparing their own lunch to a list of microorganisms are even in the food we microorganisms present in diferent foods. eat. Explain that they will explore their lunch looking for items that required a Background microorganism to make it. Microorganisms are commonly found in foods we eat. Often, microorganisms help create the 4. Pass out a Microorganisms in My Lunch foods themselves, such as the many diferent reference sheet and worksheet to each types of bacteria that turn milk into cheese or student. Have them go through the list and NPS/BRYANNA PLOG yogurt. Commonly-known microorganisms write down which foods in their own lunch Edible mushrooms are usually that help create food include the fungi used the product of a larger are made using microorganisms. Students underground fungus. in breads, cheeses, and beer. Lesser known may eat their lunch as they work or the microorganisms include the algae used as a Bacteria and fungi are required teacher can have the entire class eat at the to create most cheeses. thickener in dairy products, the fungi used same time after the activity. to preserve meats, and some bacteria used to Sandwich bread utilizes yeast, a type of fungi, to rise. Jellies develop favor. 5. Have students share with a partner and sometimes require the use of then with the class. Ask students which algae as a thickener. There are no protozoa or viruses used in foods and microorganisms surprised them food production, though protozoa, like most the most. microorganisms, can positively afect our food Extension supply. Along with types of bacteria, protozoa Have students try to plan a meal that doesn’t are important decomposers, turning organic include foods that need microorganisms. material into rich soil for plants to use. When completed (it will probably involve Materials either pasta or rice and beans), remind students that even if a microorganism is • Microorganisms in My Lunch Images not directly involved in food production, (optional) microorganisms such as bacteria and protozoa • Microorganisms in My Lunch worksheet play an important role in the food chain, and reference list acting as decomposers and adding nutrients to • Lunch food and picnic supplies (to be the soil—nutrients that plants need to grow. brought in by students)

Suggested Procedure 1. On the frst day, tell students you are going to have a picnic lunch in class the next day. Zion National Park, April 2014 Microorganisms 3 The Bad Microorganisms food that has not been handled properly, or breathing in the microorganism (i.e. standing and Disease next to someone while they cough). We commonly refer to these disease-causing Duration microorganisms as germs. 45 Minutes Generally, microorganisms are broken into Location fve categories (simpler defnitions are located Inside in the glossary for student use):

Key Vocabulary Bacteria: Bacteria come in a variety of shapes microorganism, single-celled, protozoa, virus, (spheres, rods, or spirals) and are a diverse bacteria, fungi, germ, antibiotic, vaccine group of organisms. Many cause disease, such as some strains of E. coli, while others actually Objectives help support life, such as the bacteria inside Students will learn that a diversity of our intestines which break down our food. microorganisms can cause disease. As a result, Bacteria is plural, bacterium is singular. prevention and treatment for these diseases will also vary. Algae: While not all algae are green, all are capable of photosynthesizing and considered Method producers. Algae can be single-celled or Each of the nine diseases listed in this activity multicelled and only a very small number can will be matched with their prevention and cause disease. Algae mostly grow in water and treatment. Students will receive a short include seaweed and “pond scum.” Algae is explanation of the disease, or prevention, plural, alga is singular. or treatment. Then they will fnd their two matching components and form a group. Fungi: All fungi are decomposers, breaking down dead matter for nutrients, and they Background cannot produce their own food. Common Many diferent types of microorganisms cause diseases caused by fungi include athlete’s foot a variety of diseases. The most common way in humans and white nose syndrome in bats, of getting a bad microorganism in your body but the type of fungi known as penicillium is is by drinking contaminated water, eating one of the main antibiotics used to fght other

NPS/BRYANNA PLOG Students look for microorganisms and insects in the Virgin River.

Zion National Park, April 2014 Microorganisms 4 infections. Fungi is plural, fungus is singular. 3. Explain that the class is going to investigate the causes of nine diferent diseases and Protozoa: The name protozoa means “frst see how they can be prevented and treated. animal,” and describes this microorganism’s Emphasize that because diseases are caused ability to move and hunt. Most protozoa do by diferent types of microorganisms, they not cause disease but there are a few that must be treated in diferent ways. cause harm to humans, including Plasmodium (malaria) and Giardia. These protozoa are 4. Hand out one slip of paper from the considered parasites. Protozoa is plural, activity sheet to each student (if the class protozoan is singular. is larger than 27, have students pair up. If a class is not divisible by three, the teacher Viruses: There is some debate on whether can provide one or two answers). viruses are actually organisms at all; that is 5. Have students walk around the classroom, whether they are alive or not. While they trying to match up the disease with the have DNA or RNA and infect a host like prevention and with the treatment. Some other parasites, viruses have no true cells and will overlap (there are multiple diseases cannot reproduce on their own. Viruses is that can be treated with an antibiotic; plural, virus is singular. see the Answer Key) but most will have a specifc set that goes with each disease. Because of the diversity of microorganisms, Give students around 10 to 15 minutes to the diseases that they cause can be prevented talk to everyone and get together with their and treated in diferent and specifc ways. For group of three. If students think they are instance, diseases caused by bacteria can be properly matched up, have them share with treated with antibiotics since they are caused other groups who have fnished and check by a living thing. Since viruses are not alive, to see if both make sense. antibiotics do not work for things such as smallpox, HIV, the fu, or the common cold. 6. Have students tape their three slips of However, many viruses can be prevented with paper together. When everyone is matched a vaccine, which usually involves giving a tiny up, have students present their disease, amount of the virus to a person to make them prevention, and treatment to the class. immune. 7. Note that some treatments are also from Materials microorganisms (penicillin is derived from • Diseases, Prevention, and Treatment the fungus penicillium) and that we also Activity Sheet need good bacteria in our systems (such as • Diseases, Prevention, and Treatment good strains of E. coli). Answer Key Extension • tape On paper, have students explain why they

chose the preventions and treatments they Suggested Procedure did. Have the students write down some of the 1. Before class, print of the Diseases, other options they considered and why they Prevention, and Treatment Activity Sheet. decided those answers did not work. Which Cut out each entry so there are 27 slips of diseases do they think they could contract by paper (9 each for the disease, prevention, being in Zion National Park or around their and treatment). Use the teacher’s guide to neighborhood? help check student answers.

2. Review the defnitions of the diferent types of microorganisms so students understand the diferences between them. Emphasize that while most microorganisms are helpful, several microorganisms can cause disease, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.

Zion National Park, April 2014 Microorganisms 5 The Ugly Bighorn Sheep Mystery

Duration 45 Minutes

Location Inside

Key Vocabulary antibiotic, infectious, virus

Objectives Students will be able to apply what they know about diferent microorganisms to correctly NPS/BRYANNA PLOG A bighorn sheep browses on Utah serviceberry identify which microorganism is causing a (Amelanchier utahensis). disease, and analyze diferent efects and consequences of the disease.

Method Students will read and analyze information through the population. The greatest risk is about an outbreak of disease in a population from diseases brought from contact between of bighorn sheep at Zion National Park and domesticated sheep and wild bighorn sheep. answer questions to identify the disease and its consequences. Materials • Bighorn Sheep Mystery Images Background • Bighorn Sheep Mystery Worksheet Desert bighorn sheep are a distinctive species • Bighorn Sheep Mystery Answer Key of mammal that live on rocky slopes in the eastern part of Zion National Park. Not to be Suggested Procedure confused with the white and shaggy mountain 1. Show photos of desert bighorn sheep to goat, bighorn sheep have long horns and thin, class and ask if anyone has seen them in tan coats. Both males and females have horns, Zion National Park or other areas. Explain but the horns of older males (rams) grow to the class that they are going to read a much larger and longer and curve around story about some of the bighorn sheep their head. in the park and use the story to answer questions. Bighorn sheep have been living in southern Utah for at least a few thousand years; 2. Break the class into groups of four or fve pictographs and petroglyphs found in the area and hand a bighorn sheep activity sheet to depict bighorn sheep and the animals were each student, every other student or each probably hunted by the American Indians group. Have students read out loud in their who lived in the area. Because of habitat loss, groups so everyone hears the story. Give overhunting, and livestock grazing, bighorn students 15 to 20 minutes to individually sheep disappeared from the area by the mid answer the questions on a separate sheet. 1950s. In the late 1970s, there were several 3. When all students are fnished, review reintroduction eforts and bighorn sheep were the answers together as a class using the brought back to Zion National Park. The herd Bighorn Sheep Mystery Answer Key to in and around the park is now estimated to be guide the discussion. over 500 sheep.

The bighorn sheep in Zion National Park are generally healthy, but diseases such as contagious ecthema (explained in the Bighorn Sheep Mystery Answer Key) occasionally run Zion National Park, April 2014 Microorganisms 6 Glossary References

algae: single-celled plant-like organisms. They Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. produce their own food using photosynthesis. Last modifed February 2013. http://www. cdc.gov/DiseasesConditions/ antibiotic: a medicine such as penicillin that comes from a microorganism and can be used European Food and Feed Cultures Associa- to destroy bacteria, fungi, or protozoa, thus tion. “Microorganisms in Food Produc- treating or preventing many diseases. tion.” http://www.efca.org/content/ microorganisms-food-production bacteria: single-celled organisms that belong to the Monera Kingdom. They can be shaped National Park Service: Arches National like spheres, rods, or spirals and can do Park. “Lesson Plans: Bighorn Sheep.” everything from decompose dead leaves to http://www.nps.gov/arch/forteachers/ cause disease. classrooms/5th_bighorn.htm

fungi: a type of decomposer that reproduces National Park Service: Zion National Park. through tiny seed-like cells called spores. “Sore Mouth Disease Suspected in Big- While some fungi like mushrooms and molds horn Sheep Population.” Last Modifed are large, other types of fungi are single-celled. April 4, 2013. http://www.nps.gov/zion/ parknews/soremouthdiseasesuspectedin- germ: any microorganism that can cause bighornsheeppopulation.htm disease. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Micro- infectious: able to cause an infection or organisms and Microbial-Derived Ingre- disease by spreading between living things. dients Used in Food (Partial List). Last modifed August 2013. http://www.fda. microorganism: an organism that is so small gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/ it can only be viewed under a microscope GRAS/MicroorganismsMicrobialDerived- (not with the naked eye). They are usually Ingredients/default.htm not plants or animals and come in a variety of types, species, sizes, and shapes. Utah Education Network. Utah Core Standards: “Science, 6th Grade organism: any living thing, large or small. All Core.” http://www.uen.org/core/core. organisms need air, water, and energy and can do?courseNum=3060 grow and reproduce.

protozoa: single-celled parasites that act like animals (feed on and destroy other microorganisms).

single-celled: an organism that is made up of only one cell; in contrast, humans are made up of trillions of cells.

vaccine: a preparation of a weakened virus given to a person to protect them against future infections of a disease. For example, if you have had a chicken pox vaccine, you cannot get chicken pox.

virus: non-living agent of disease. Can multiply and cause harm to the living thing it infects.

Zion National Park, April 2014 Microorganisms 7