Abstract
Any organism so small that it can be seen only with a microscope is a microorganism. Microorganisms are found in three of the kingdoms: protoctists, fungi and prokaryotes. All prokaryotes are microorganisms. When light microscopes were invented three hundred years ago, people saw microorganisms for the first time and saw them only as small specks. Even when light microscopes improved, it was still difficult to see much inside a microorganism. When electron microscopes were invented in the 1920s, we learnt a great deal more about microorganisms.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Copyright information
© 1989 P. Alderson and M. Rowland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Alderson, P., Rowland, M. (1989). Microorganisms. In: Making Use of Biology for GCSE. Making Use Of. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-10062-0_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-10062-0_2
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-45992-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-10062-0
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)