Medical microbiology is the focus of this course.  However, microbes are important beyond their role in human health.

As you did on the virus and bacterial pathogen projects, conduct research and write a paper.  This time, you will actually write 2 papers (see below).  Each must be 300 words or more.  Include word counts on each, separately.  As always, use only legitimate peer-reviewed scientific articles.  For these, there is no time (2 years, etc.) limitation on your references.  Do NOT plagiarize.  Remember that links are NOT citations.  Submit the papers as 2 separate documents, i.e. 2 files.

1. Choose a bacterial species that serves some natural beneficial environmental role.  You obviously cannot use this example (because it is fungal), but certain fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots which helps the plant aquire neutrients from soil.  Forget about people.  This paper is not about people.  Microbes = survival of other critters on the planet.

2. Choose a bacterial species that is utilized in some industrial process.  Most examples involve production or modification of some substance used in medical, food, or other industrial application.  So, yes, these organisms are probably grown in some growth chamber in a factory somewhere.  Microbes = $.

Completing these as instructed = points added to your final exam score.  Complete one of the above for 2pts.  Complete both for 5pts.