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Microorganisms were the first living creatures on earth. It is estimated there are a total of 5 nonillion microorganisms on earth (5x1020). You will find nearly 10 million a millilitre of ocean water and 40 million in a gram of soil. They are also ubiquitous on the human body.
Microbes include bacteria and archaebacteria, protists, some fungi and even some very tiny animals that are too small to be seen without the aid of a microscope. Viruses and the recently discovered prions are also considered microbes.