What If All the Microbes Disappeared

The video explores the role of microbes in mass extinctions and their essential functions in ecosystems and human health. It discusses a hypothetical scenario where all microbes vanish, examining the potential impacts on the environment and human physiology. The video also speculates on the future of life and evolution without microbes, highlighting the interconnectedness of microbial processes and the challenges of a microbe-free world.

What is a potential role of methanogens in the End-Permian extinction?

• They created methane, contributing to global warming.

• They produced oxygen that cooled the planet.

• They helped in the formation of new plant species.

• They consumed carbon dioxide, reducing greenhouse gases.

In a world without microbes, what would be a significant change in human physiology?

• Humans would grow taller due to more nutrients.

• Humans would become smaller due to fewer nutrients.

• Humans would develop new organs for digestion.

• Humans would no longer need to eat.

What role do diatoms and photosynthetic microbes play in the ecosystem?

• They decompose organic matter.

• They produce methane.

• They fix nitrogen in the soil.

• They contribute to oxygen production.

How would the absence of nitrogen-fixing bacteria like Nostoc affect plant growth?

• Plants would grow faster due to more nitrogen.

• Plants would struggle to grow due to lack of usable nitrogen.

• Plants would become more resistant to diseases.

• Plants would produce more oxygen.

What is the Earth microbiome?

• A collection of all plant species on Earth.

• A list of extinct animal species.

• A database of human genetic information.

• A catalog of microbial diversity and their ecological roles.

What is a potential outcome for life if microbes were to disappear?

• Life would cease to exist immediately.

• Other organisms might adapt to fill ecological niches.

• Humans would become the only surviving species.

• The planet would become uninhabitable for all life forms.

What is the long-term prognosis for humans in a world without microbes?

• Humans would struggle to survive due to ecological imbalances.

• Humans would colonize other planets.

• Humans would thrive without diseases.

• Humans would evolve to become more intelligent.