Micro-organisms can be used to demonstrate principles of biology and to model industrial processes, as well as offering opportunities for teaching across the curriculum in the following areas:

Biological Principles

Population dynamics	Osmosis
Photosynthesis	Genetics
Molecular biology	Tropisms
Enzyme activities	Vitamin assays
Biodeterioration, spoilage	Disease
Sulphur, carbon & nitrogen cycles

Biotechnology

• Industrial chemicals, fuels, solvents
• Enzymes
• Health care products eg vaccines, antibiotics
• Food & beverages eg cheese, yoghurt, beer, bread, mycoprotein
• Waste treatment eg sewage, refuse
• Bioremediation
• Oil & metal recovery

For more information on individual topics see the SGM Teaching Resources page and MISAC Factsheets