Final answer:
The statement is true as microbes contribute to both life-sustaining processes and can cause life-threatening diseases. While they are vital in ecosystems and human health, they can also be pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
Microbes are indeed associated with both life-sustaining benefits and life-threatening diseases, so the statement is true. On the one hand, microbes play a crucial role in various life-supporting processes such as food digestion, nutrient production, and immunity enhancement. They are essential in biogeochemical cycles and serve as the foundation of many food webs. On the other hand, microbes can be pathogens causing serious or potentially lethal diseases, including those transmitted through respiration. Nevertheless, it's important to note that most microbes are harmless to healthy individuals and are vital to maintaining environmental balance and human health.