Unless they form structures like fungi or slime,
microbes cannot be seen by the naked eye.
Microbes were discovered 1674 by Anthony van Leeuwenhoek
Life on earth is divided into 30 different kingdoms.
One being plants and another one being animals.
The rest of the life on earth is dominated by microbes.
More than 50 per cent of the oxygen is produced by algae.
On and in the human body live up to two kilograms of microbes.
They are important for us and e.g. our immune and digestive system.
With only one kiss we exchange 1 million bacteria.
Microbes can be found all over the world.
By developing special skills, such as producing antifreeze,
they can adapt to the toughest environments.
Most of the exhibits are real life microbes that are supported by media installations.
Micropia is meant to become an meeting point for microbiologists.
Because ants cannot digest leafs they live in symbiosis with a fungus that can.
They feed it so they can harvest it.
Microbes play a huge role in decomposition in nature…
…and even in our digestive system
Oral flora consists of more than 700 different bacteria
Smear tests of everyday objects – weirdly beautiful.
By making use of microbes, ethanol can be produced.
Such as vicious HI-Virus.
But only one per cent of all microbes can make us sick.
MICROPIA
excursion to Amsterdam
As part of the Artis Royal Zoo in Amsterdam, Micropia focusses on the smallest living beings on earth, the invisible life of microbes. It is the goal to change our view towards them. Microbes do not only cause diseases, but in fact, microbes are the most powerful, most successful life on earth and are a huge part in our everyday life. Micropia shows you how they live and grow and where to find them.