Sample Solution from
Prescott's Microbiology
10th Edition
ISBN: 9781259281594
Chapter 1
Problem 1CHI
Try another sample solution
Textbook Problem

Compare, Hypothesize, Invent

1. Microscopic organisms such as rotifers are not studied by microbiologists. Why is this so?

Expert Solution
Summary Introduction

Microorganisms are defined as those organisms which could not be clearly seen by the unaided eye. They are too small in size and are generally range about 1 – 5 µm in diameter. Though size is an important characteristic of microbes, it is not sufficient to define them. The microorganisms occur in the form of both multicellular and unicellular forms. Some microbes are visible without the microscopes and are distinguished from other multicellular life forms by their lack of highly differentiated tissues.

Explanation of Solution

Rotifers are the microscopic aquatic animals that belong to the phylum Rotifera. Its size ranges from 100 μm to 30 mm. The rotifers got their name from the corona which is a rotating wheel-like structure covered with cilia. Though they are nearly microscopic in size, the rotifers are complex animals possessing multiple organ systems. They contain over 1000 cells in their body.

The microbiology studies focus only on the microscopic cellular organisms which are often unicellular or multicellular lacking the highly differentiated tissues. Thus, because of this reason, the microbiologists do not study rotifers.

Not sold yet?Try another sample solution