Page 16 - The Microworld Miracle

ing, and carrying out the most delicate processes. All these func-
tions are performed by microorganisms, which generally consist of
a single cell, and which cannot be seen with the naked eye.
These microorganisms spread around us at astonishing speed.
Let us give an example in that regard: According to one study, it has
been calculated that a 0.5 hectare area of farm soil contains several
tons of living bacteria, around 1 ton (2,204.6 pounds) of fungi, 100

kilograms (220.4 pounds) of single-celled protozoan life, around 50
kilograms (110.2 pounds) of yeast and a similar amount of algae. 2
Knowing about the properties of these creatures and entering
into this world is actually of the greatest importance. People imag-
ine that these creatures, many of which are invisible to the naked
eye, are basically very simple entities; and are therefore unaware of
their powerful abilities. The proponents of the theory of evolu-

THE MICROWORLD MIRACLE

14