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Odyssey of Life, Part II -- The Unknown World
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Viewing Ideas
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Before Watching
Microorganisms help decompose dead plants and animals into substances that
can be used again. Ask students what they know about the role microorganisms
play in this important process and what role this process plays in the life
cycles of the earth. As they watch the program, have students note various life
processes carried out by the microorganisms. This show deals with organisms too small to be seen with the unaided eye. To
give students a sense of how small mites are, have them calculate the number of
hair follicle mites that would fit across the width of an average thumbnail (1
mite = .1 mm, or 1/250th inch), the number of thumbnail widths it would take to
equal the length of an average pen, and then the number of mites that would
equal the length of that pen.
After Watching
Have students refer to their notes for a discussion of some of the processes
carried out by microorganisms. Where are some of the places they live? What
kinds of food do they eat? What would our lives be like without them?
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