Microbes – friend or foe?

The Open University via OpenLearn

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Details

Go to class

Provider

OpenLearn
Pricing

Free Certificate
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Duration & workload

2 hours
Sessions

On-Demand

Found in

Microbes often get a bad name. Whilst some of them do cause disease, others play vital roles in recycling nutrients in the soil to enable plants to grow, and in breaking down human waste. Without microbes, we would have no beer, no yoghurt, no coffee. That's quite impressive for something too small to see. This free course, Microbes friend or foe? sheds some light on them.

Syllabus

Introduction
Learning outcomes
1 Disease-causing bacteria
1 Disease-causing bacteria
1.1 Evolution of antibiotic resistance in microbes
2 Microbes in sewage treatment
2 Microbes in sewage treatment
Conclusion
Acknowledgements

Reviews

4.3 rating, based on 10 Class Central reviews

4.7 rating at OpenLearn based on 33 ratings

Start your review of Microbes – friend or foe?

Romina Cifuentes @rominacifuentes
1

This course provides a clear and engaging overview of the world of microorganisms, covering both their beneficial and harmful impacts. One of the key advantages highlighted is how microbes play a crucial role in processes like fermentation, waste decomposition, and even food production. On the downside, the course also covers the harmful side of microbes, such as their ability to cause diseases and spoil food, which emphasizes the importance of understanding microbiological processes. Overall, the course effectively balances the benefits and risks associated with microbes, making it highly informative and practical.
Ishan Baskota
1

This course provide most important knowledge over view of microorganisms in the world . It covered both beneficial microbes and harmful microbes. In food , agriculture and medical. The important of understanding microbiological process . The course is provided for beginners and professional as providing valuable for industry , health , environment and particular place to engaged.
Tisha Anand

The course was quite interesting, and sparked my interest in microbiology and the study of pathogens, as well as enhanced a curiosity to know more.
Kushagra Trivedi
1

The **"Microbiology: Microbe – Friend or Foe?"** course offers an engaging exploration of microorganisms and their dual role in our lives. It covers both beneficial microbes in food, medicine, and agriculture, as well as harmful pathogens causing diseases. The course structure is well-organized, with interactive content, real-world applications, and clear explanations. Visual aids and case studies enhance understanding, making complex topics accessible. However, more hands-on experiments or virtual labs would improve the learning experience. Overall, it’s a great course for beginners and professionals alike, providing valuable insights into microbiology’s impact on health, industry, and the environment.
Abdulraheem Omokolade Babalola

The course is so interesting. I was able to learn about miticilin-resistant staphylococcus areus how sewage is being treated
MARIA BELEN GUERRERO HARO

The OpenLearn course 'Microbes - friend or foe?' offers a fascinating introduction to the world of microorganisms. While the course touches on various aspects of microbiology, I found the sections on pathogenic bacteria particularly engaging. The c…

The OpenLearn course 'Microbes - friend or foe?' offers a fascinating introduction to the world of microorganisms. While the course touches on various aspects of microbiology, I found the sections on pathogenic bacteria particularly engaging.

The course effectively explains how bacteria can cause diseases, from simple infections like strep throat to more complex conditions like tuberculosis. I especially appreciated the explanations of how bacteria evade the immune system and the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance.

The course materials, including videos and interactive exercises, were well-presented and easy to follow. However, I felt that the section on bacterial toxins could have been expanded upon.

Overall, I recommend this course to anyone interested in learning more about the role of bacteria in human health and disease. It provides a solid foundation for understanding how these tiny organisms can have such a significant impact on our lives.
Prakhar Mathur

Microbes are everywhere—some cause deadly diseases, while others silently help clean our environment. This topic explores both faces of these microscopic beings. We learn how certain bacteria make us sick and how antibiotic resistance is becoming a growing threat due to misuse. On the brighter side, microbes play a vital role in sewage treatment, helping break down waste and keeping our surroundings healthier. By the end, we realize microbes aren’t just enemies or allies—they're complex lifeforms that demand respect, understanding, and careful handling in both health and environmental contexts. It's a relationship worth balancing wisely.
Anonymous

Really helpful and deep understanding of how different microbes play role for the benefit or against the human body.
Appreciated
Anonymous

ótimo curso , bem desenvolvido e elaborado ... bem dinâmico ... recomendo a todos os universitários das áreas de biológicas e dos cursos da saúde
Anonymous

i got benefied from each sentense in this course i learned a lot of infos about microbs and the common types and how they got used in treaating water ...