Read the passage and answer the following.
Microbes are organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye. They include bacteria, archaea, protists, viruses, prions, and fungi. They account for most of the diversity of life on earth. Far more microbes inhabit a single person's body than there are people on the entire planet. Microbes also dominate in terms of their ability to live and thrive in extreme environments, including clouds, deep-sea volcanoes, springs, ice caps, and animal intestines. Most animals, including humans, exhibit numerous associations with microbes. Our "human microbiome" includes our skin, hair, mouth, and gut.
Which of the following is a non-pathogenic microbe?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Lactobacillus
Option (3) Lactobacillus — Correct. Lactobacillus is useful; it makes curd.
NCERT Extract:
Microbes in Household Products – “… You would be surprised to know that we use microbes or products derived from them everyday. A common example is the production of curd from milk. Micro-organisms such as Lactobacillus and others commonly called lactic acid bacteria (LAB) grow in milk and convert it to curd. During growth, the LAB produce acids that coagulate and partially digest the milk proteins. A small amount of curd added to the fresh milk as inoculum or starter contain millions of LAB, which at suitable temperatures multiply, thus converting milk to curd, which also improves its nutritional quality by increasing vitamin B12.”