Question

the bad and ugly microbes
background knowledge
some microbes, often called germs, can cause illness or disease. chickenpox, mumps, and measles are caused by microbes. they are infectious diseases.
some microbes can cause food to decay. moldy bread or fruit, sour milk, and rotten meat are examples of decayed food. if eaten, this rotten food and drink can cause stomach upsets. other microbes cause tooth decay.
you can protect yourself from harmful microbes by storing and preparing food properly, cleaning your teeth, washing your hands, and by avoiding close contact with ill people.
science activity
look at the picture above. it shows a number of unhygienic ways in which germs can travel into food and cause illness. list all of the ways this could happen in the picture.
science investigation
take extra care - ask an adult to supervise you.
design and conduct an experiment to see what type of bread grows mold the best. obtain different samples of bread. make sure to wash your hands before and after each time you experiment. explain why mold grows better on some bread than on others.

Explanation:

To determine how germs travel to food in the picture, we analyze elements:

1. Garbage bin: Germs from decaying waste in the bin can spread to food via air or contact (e.g., flies landing on garbage then food).
2. Dirty environment/flies: Flies (shown) carry germs from unhygienic areas (like garbage) to food (e.g., bread, cake, meat) when they land.
3. Uncovered food: Food like bread, cake, and meat is exposed, allowing germs from the air (with microbes) or from contaminated surfaces/objects to settle.
4. Stuffed toy (contaminated object): The toy may have germs (from handling or dirty surfaces) that transfer to food when in contact or via airborne particles settling on it then food.
5. Dirty dishes/surfaces: Unclean dishes or surfaces (e.g., the counter with food) can harbor germs that spread to food.
6. Poor storage (e.g., open containers): Food not stored properly (exposed) is vulnerable to germs from the surrounding unhygienic environment.

Answer:

• Germs from the garbage bin can spread to food via air or through flies that land on garbage then on food.
• Flies carry germs from unhygienic areas (like garbage) to exposed food (bread, cake, meat) when they land.
• Exposed food (uncovered bread, cake, meat) allows germs from the air (containing microbes) or contaminated objects to settle.
• The stuffed toy, which may have germs, can transfer them to food through contact or airborne particles settling on it then the food.
• Unclean dishes or surfaces (e.g., the table with food) harbor germs that spread to the food.
• Poorly stored (uncovered) food is vulnerable to germs from the surrounding unhygienic environment.