Microbial life refers to all forms of life that are microscopic, or too small to be seen with the naked eye. These organisms include bacteria, archaea, fungi and protists, which together make up a significant portion of the Earth's biomass. Microbes play important roles in various ecosystems such as decomposers that break down dead plant and animal matter into nutrients for other plants to use or they can be pathogens causing diseases in animals including humans. The study of microbial life is called microbiology, which helps us understand the role these organisms play in our world and how we can harness their abilities for various applications such as biotechnology, medicine, agriculture, and environmental management.