CHAPTER 2

Two Major Categories of Microbes

- acellular microbes (also called infectious
particles), includes viroids, prions, and viruses
- cellular microbes (also called microorganisms),
includes less complex prokaryotes e.g. archaea
and bacteria and more complex prokaryotes
(some algae, all protozoa, and some fungi)
- Microorganisms are so small, so very little detail
concerning their structure can be determined
using the compound light microscope.
- Our knowledge of the ultrastructure of microbes
has been gained through the use of electron
microscopes. Ultrastructure refers to the very
detailed views of cells that are beyond the
resolving power of the compound light
microscope.

Cell - fundamental unit of any living organism because,

like the total organism, the cell exhibits the basic
characteristics of life. A cell obtains food (nutrients)
from the environment to produce energy for metabolism
and other activities

Metabolism refers to all of the chemical reactions that

occur within a cell. Because of its metabolism, a cell
can grow and reproduce. It can respond to stimuli in its
environment such as light, heat, cold, and the presence
of chemicals. A cell can mutate (change genetically) as a
result of accidental changes in its genetic material—the
DNA that makes up the genes of its chromosomes—and,
thus, can become better or less suited to its environment.
As a result of these genetic changes, the mutant
organism may be better adapted for survival and
development into a new species (pl., species) of
organism.

Prokaryotic Cells
- Bacterial cells that exhibit all the characteristics
of life, they do not have the complex system of
membranes and organelles (tiny organ-like
structures) found in the more advanced single-
celled organisms.
- include Bacteria and Archaea

Eukaryotic Cells
- more complex cells, containing a true nucleus
and many membrane-bound organelles
- include such organisms as algae, protozoa,
fungi, plants, animals, and humans