Can You See, Smell, Taste Microorganisms?

In soil microbiology there are many types of microorganisms. The most abundant is bacteria. One gram of soil can contain over one billion bacteria. Some bacteria are responsible for foul smells, so yes you can smell them.

Fungi is another type of microorganisms. Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi through which microscopic spores are released. So yes, you can see certain parts of the life cycle. Some mushrooms can be eaten and certainly some microorganisms affect taste. Again, bacteria is one that will change flavor either good or bad.

You can't see them without a microscope, but they are visible. We can't smell or taste the organism itself, but you can smell or tast the effects they produce. For instance, microorganisms produce algae on pond water, which can smell stagnant; or we can taste their effects in the yeast which goes into bread.

Micro-organisms can be seen through the microscope.