INTRODUCTION TO MICROBIOLOGY: THE
acetone
MICROBIAL WORLD AND YOU
GERM Comes from the Latin word germen,
meaning to sprout
from, or germinate.
It was used in relation to microbes in the
19th century to
explain the rapidly growing cells that caused
disease
Microorganisms”
Are minute of living things.
Too small to be seen with
the unaided eye.
Viruses – noncellular entities;
“straddling the border between
life and nonlife
Soil microbes break down wastes and
incorporate nitrogen gas from the air into
organic compounds
• Microbes are used to produce
acetone and butanol, vitamins B2
(riboflavin) and B12 (cobalamin)
are made biochemically.
Acetone–butanol–ethanol fermentation
(ABE) – Weizmann Process
• Discovered in 1914 by Chaim Weizmann, a
Russian-born chemist working in England.
• WW1 outbreak – the production of
became very important for making cordite
(a
smokeless form of gunpowder used in
munitions
MICROBIOME – microbes that live stably in
and on the human body
HUMAN MICROBIOME – is one of the
largest organs, weighing
approx. 2 to 3 kilograms in an adult
NORMAL MICROBIOTA – refers to the
microorganisms that reside on the
surface and deep layers of skin, in the saliva
and oral mucosa, in the conjunctiva, and
in the gastrointestinal tracts of every
human being.
TRANSIENT MICROBIOTA – refers to
microorganisms that are only temporarily
found in the human body
PATHOGENIC (full-time bad guys) – can
cause disease
OPPORTUNISTIC MICRORGANISMS (part-
time bad guys) – typically non-pathogenic
microorganisms that act as a pathogen in
certain circumstances
MICROBIOLOGY
The study of microscopic organisms
(bacteria, viruses,
archaea, fungi, and protozoa)
PARASITOLOGY: study of parasites (not all
parasites are
microorganisms)
PHYCOLOGY – study of algae
PROTOZOOLOGY – study of protozoa
VIROLOGY – study of viruses
ASTROMICROBIOLOGY: study of the origin
of life on Earth, and the search for
extraterrestrial life
EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY: the
evolution of microorganisms
CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY: the study of the
structure and function of microbial
Cell
AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY: the study
of microorganisms that interact
with plants and soils
FOOD MICROBIOLOGY: study of
microorganisms that spoil food or cause
foodborne illnesses; study how
microorganisms are used in food production
MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY: study of
microorganisms responsible for human
Disease
The system of naming
organisms.
Established by Carolus
Linnaeus in 1735
Singular: bacterium
Relatively simple, single-celled
(unicellular) organisms.
Prokaryotic organisms – their
genetic material is not enclosed in a
special nuclear membrane
Bacterial cells shapes
Bacillus - rodlike
Coccus - spherical
Spiral – corkscrew or curved
Star shape or square – not common
ARCHEA
Consist of prokaryotic cells.
Cell walls lack peptidoglycan.
Often found in extreme environments.
Archea are not known to cause
disease in humans.
Methanogens – produce methane as waste
product from
respiration
Extreme halophiles (halo=salt; philic=loving)
– live in
extremely salty environments (Great Salt
Lake and Dead Sea)
Extreme thermophiles (therm = heat) – live
in hot
sulfurous water (hot springs)
FUNGI
Singular: fungus
Eukaryotic organisms – cells have
distinct nucleus containing the cells
genetic material (DNA), surrounded
by a special envelope called the
nuclear membrane
True fungi have cell walls composed
primarily of a substance called chitin.
Oomycetes – lower forms of fungi;
“water molds”
Molds
Most typical fungi.
Form visible masses called mycelia,
which are composed of long
filaments (hyphae) that branch and
intFungal reproduction
Sexually or asexually
Perfect fungi – reproduce through
asexual and sexual spores
Imperfect fungi – reproduce only
by asexual sporeertwine
Protozoan movement
Protozoa move by pseudopods, flagella, or
cilia.
Amoebae move by using an extension of
their
cytoplasm called pseudopods (false feet)
ALGAE
Abundant in freshwater and
saltwater, in soil, and in association
with plant
VIRUSES
They are different from other
microbial groups mentioned.
Most can be seen only with an electron
microscope.
ACELLULAR – they are not cell
WHAT IS MICROBIOLOGY?
The study of microorganisms and their
activities: Nutrition, multiplication,
pathogenicity, control, etc.
The study of living things too small to be
seen without magnification
Phylogeny
- the degree of
relatedness between groups of
living things
Bacteria-like organisms have existed on
earth for
about 3.5 billion years
– Prokaryotes (pre-nucleus): Simple cells
– Eukaryotes (true nucleus): Complex cell
Viruses - Acellular, parasitic particles
composed of a nucleic acid
and protein
Pathogens: Microbes that
do harm, cause disease
• Nearly 2,000 different
microbes cause diseases
An infection is the
invasion and
multiplication of
pathogenic microbe’s in
an individual or
population
Respiratory tract (mouth and
nose) e.g. influenza virus
which causes the flu.
• Gastrointestinal tract (mouth
oral cavity) e.g. Vibrio cholerae
which causes cholera.
• Urogenital tract e.g.
Escherichia coli which causes
cystitis.
• Breaks in the skin surface e.g.
Clostridium tetani which
causes tetanus
immune System
◦ An infection can be seen
as a battle between the
invading pathogens and
the host.
The bacterium Campylobacter jejuni is a
common cause of food poisoning
Spoilers
◦ Microbes like all living
organisms need food for
energy and growth.
Thermoacidophiles- live in the dark
Halophiles- can live in water with salt
Eubacteria – most common bacteria
Viruses are nonliving
infectious agents composed of
nucleic acids enclosed in a
protein coat and are smaller
than the smallest bacterium
Prions are composed of proteins
but have no nucleic acid to carry
genetic information.
Viroids are composed of a
single circular strand of RNA
with no protein coat.
• Viroids have been shown to
cause infectious diseases in
several plants.
Protozoa- one celled animal found
worldwide habitats
Pseudopodia – cell extensions
that flow in direction of travel
 Cilia – numerous, short,
hairlike protrusions that
propel organisms through
environment
Pasteur’s Experiments ◦ When the
 Flagella – extensions of a cell
“swan-necked
that are fewer, longer, and flasks” remained upright,
no microbial growth
more whiplike than cilia
appeared
Algae- 1st plant appear on earth
Koch’s Experiments ◦ Simple staining
Microbial techniques ◦ First photomicrograph
nomenclature of bacteria

- naming John Tyndall and Ferdinand

microorganisms Cohn each demonstrated the
presence of heat resistant
 Taxonomy forms of some microbes.
- classifying
Sterility requires the
living things elimination of all life forms
 Identification including endospores and
viruses
-discovering and
recording the traits of serology  The study of blood serum
 Von Behring and Kitasato
organisms so they can –existence in the blood of
be named and chemicals and cells that
fight infection
classified ◦ Immunology  The study of the
Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek body’s
defense against specific
- First to observe living microbes pathogens
Spontaneous Generation is an early ◦ Chemotherapy  Fleming
discovered
belief that some forms of life could penicillin
arise  Domagk discovered sulfa
from vital forces present in nonliving drugs
or decomposing matter

Redi’s Experiments
◦ When decaying meat was
kept isolated from flies, A BRIEF
maggots never developed HISTORY OF
MICROBIOLOGY
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-
green algae, started out on Earth
quite a while ago.
v The oldest known fossils are
cyanobacteria from Archaean rocks
of western Australia,
dated 3.5 billion years old.
INHIBITING THE GROWTH
OF MICROORGANISMS IN
VITRO
Contamination - denotes contact of
a sterile or aseptic item
with microorganisms.
Decontamination- The process
where physical or chemical means
are used to remove inactivate, or
destroy pathogens on surface or
item making them safe for handling
or use and incapable of
transmitting infectious germs.
Degerming - The mechanical
removal of microbes from a limited
area.
Sanitization - Lowering microbial
counts to safe public health
levels and minimizing disease
transfer from person to person.
Sterilization is the complete
destruction of all microbes, including
cells, spores, and viruses.
Commercial Sterilization- Killing
Clostridium botulinum endospores
from canned goods.
Disinfection is the destruction or
removal of pathogens from non-
living
objects by physical or chemical
methods; pasteurization is an
example
of a disinfection technique.
–Disinfectants are chemical
substances that eliminate pathogens
on
inanimate objects.
–Antiseptics are solutions used to
disinfect skin and other living
tissues.
Antisepsis - destroying harmful
microorganisms from living tissue.
Sepsis refers to bacterial
contamination. The presence of
pathogens in blood or tissues,
whereas asepsis means the absence
of pathogens.
Asepsis is the absence of significant
contamination.
-The prevention of infection.
- Aseptic surgery techniques prevent
the microbial contamination of
wounds.
he suffix –cide or –cidal refers to
“killing.
”
Bactericidal agents are chemicals
that specifically kill bacteria,
but not necessarily bacterial
endospores.
–Sporicidal agents kill bacterial
endospores.
–Fungicidal agents kill fungi,
including fungal spores.
–Algicidal agents kill algae.
–Viricidal agents destroy viruses.
A microbistatic agent is a drug or
chemical that
inhibits growth and reproduction of
microbes.
A bacteriostatic agent is one that
specifically inhibits
the metabolism and reproduction of
bacteria.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Specialized equipment and attire
used
by healthcare workers to protect
them from infections
Lyophilization is a process that
combines dehydration (drying)
and freezing.
Pasteurization reduces spoilage
organisms and pathogen
Low temperature inhibits microbial
growth by slowing down microbial
metabolism. Examples include
refrigeration and freezing.
DESSICATION
many dried microorganisms remain
viable, but they cannot reproduce.
absence of water prevents
metabolism.
CHEMICAL DISINFECTION
-refers to the use of chemical agents
to inhibit the growth of pathogens,
either temporarily or permanently
PHENOL AND PHENOLICS Injure
lipids of plasma membranes, causing
leakage
BISPHENOLS Contain two phenol
groups connected by a bridge
BIGUANIDES Chlorhexidine Used in
surgical hand scrubs
ALDEHYDES Inactive proteins by
cross-linking with functional groups.
Used for preserving specimens and
in medical equipment
ANTIBIOTICS
Proteins produced by one
bacterium that inhibits another.
Nisin and Natamycin (Pimaricin)
prevent spoilage of cheese
Bacteriocidal- no bacteria living in
ZOI
Bacteriostatic - bacteria are not
reproducing in ZOI.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT
is any chemical (drug) used to
treat an infectious disease, either
by inhibiting or killing pathogens in
vivo
antibiotic – a substance produced by
a microorganism that kills or inhibits
growth
 semi synthetic antibiotic- antibiotics SY N E R GISM
that have been chemically modified
is when 2 antimicrobial agents
to kill a wider variety of pathogens
are used together to produce a
B r o a d spectrum m
degree of pathogen killing that is
Antibiotics are those with a wide
coverage of activity against a wide greater than that achieved by
spectrum of microorganism
either drug alone.
Narrow spectrum antibiotics Synergism is a good thing
are those with a limited coverage of
A N T A GO N ISM
activity, effective only against a
limited number of microorganisms is when 2 drugs actually work
against each other. The extent of
bactericidal antibiotic
- It is capable of killing the pathogen killing is less than that
microorganism
achieved by either drug alone.
Bacteriostatic antibiotic
Antagonism is a bad thing
It can only inhibit the growth of the
ANTIMYCOBACTERIAL AGENTS
organism
is a type of medication used to treat
Mycobacteria infections.
BACTERIOSTATIC DRUGS
ANTIFUNGAL AGENTS
inhibit growth of bacteria.
tend to be more toxic to the patient
SULFONAMIDE DRUGS
because (like the infected human) they
Inhibit production of folic acid (a vitamin) in
those bacteria that are eucaryotic organisms
require p-aminobenzoic acid to synthesize ANTIVIRAL AGENTS
folic acid; without folic
are the newest weapons in
acid bacteria cannot produce certain
antimicrobial methodology
essential proteins and die.
SUPERBUGS
SULFA DRUGS
are microbes (mainly bacteria) that have
competitive inhibitors; they are
become
bacteriostatic.
resistant to one or more antimicrobial
agent.

INTRINSIC RESISTANCE
Some bacteria are naturally
resistant because they lack the
specific target site
ACQUIRED RESISTANCE
If bacteria that were once
susceptible to a particular
drug become resistant.
CHROMOSOMAL MUTATION
affects the structure of a drug-binding site
can prevent the
drug from binding, resulting in drug
resistance