Module 1 | SCOPE OF MICROBIOLOGY

Topic Outline
1. Microorganisms that make up the microbial world.
2. The development of microbiology.
3. Microorganisms and division of microbiology.
4. Significance and practical application of microbiology.
5. Evolution of microbiology

and PARASITOLOGY
Learning Objectives
After studying this module, you will be able to:
1. Discuss the different organisms that comprise the microbial world;
2. Elaborate on the historical development of microbiology;
3. Describe different kinds of microorganisms and the divisions of
microbiology;
4. Explain the significance of microbiology in the modern world; 5. Cite

MICROBIOLOGY
examples of practical applications of microbiology; and
6. Discuss the evolution of the microbiology.

Introduction
Microbiology is a specialized area of biology that deals with living things
ordinarily too small to be seen without magnification. Such microscopic
organisms are collectively referred to microorganisms, microbes or
several other terms depending on the kind of microbe or the purpose. In the
context of infection and disease, some people call them germs, viruses or
agents; others even call them “bugs”; but none of these terms are clear. In
addition some of these terms place undue emphasis on the disagreeable
reputation of microorganisms. But as we will learn throughout the course,
only a small minority of microorganisms are implicated in causing harm to
other living things.
Activating Prior Knowledge

All information contained in this module are property of UCU and provided solely for educational purposes. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval
system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting
1
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior
written permission of UCU, is strictly prohibited.
 and PARASITOLOGY
MICROBIOLOGY
MICROORGANISMS THAT MAKE UP THE MICROBIAL WORLD

PROKARYOTES AND EUKARYOTES

Because of their characteristics, microorganisms join all other living organisms in two
major groups of organisms: prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
a. Bacteria (sing. Bacterium) are relatively simple, unicellular organisms
whose genetic material is not enclosed in a special nuclear membrane.
They are enclosed in cell walls that are largely composed of a substance
called peptidoglycan. Bacteria usually reproduce by binary fission
(dividing to two equal daughter cells. For nutrition, most bacteria use
organic chemicals which in nature can be derived from dead or living
organisms.
Bacteria are prokaryotes (simple organisms having no nucleus or
organelles) because of their cellular properties.
b. Archaea, like bacteria, lack cell walls, but if they do have one, the walls
lack peptidoglycan. They are often found in extreme environment and are
divided into three main groups:
a. Methanogens – produce methane as a waste product form
respiration
b. Extreme halophiles – live in extremely salty environments (e.g.
Dead Sea, Great Salt Lake)
c. Extreme thermophiles – live in hot sulfurous water such as hot
springs
c. Fungi, protozoa, and unicellular algae are eukaryotes (more complex
organisms whose cells have a nucleus and organelles)
d. Viruses are neither prokaryotes nor eukaryotes because of their
simplicity and unique characteristics.

All information contained in this module are property of UCU and provided solely for educational purposes. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval
system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting
2
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior
written permission of UCU, is strictly prohibited.
 Principal Differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

Characteristics Prokaryotic Eukaryotic

Size of cell Typically 0.2-2.0 Typically 10-100 µm in
µm in diameter diameter
Nucleus No nuclear membrane True nucleus, consisting of
and nuclear membrane and

and PARASITOLOGY
nucleoli nucleoli
Membrane-enclosed Absent Present
organelles
Flagella Consists of two protein Complex; consists of multiple
building blocks microtubules
Glycocalyx Present as capsule or Present in some cell that lacks
slime layer cell wall

MICROBIOLOGY
Cell wall Usually present; When present, chemically
chemically complex simple
Plasma membrane No carbohydrates and Sterols and carbohydrates that
generally lack sterols serves as receptors present
Cytoplasm No cytoskeleton Cytoskeleton
Ribosomes Smaller size Larger size
Chromosomes (DNA) Single circular Multiple linear chromosome
arrangement chromosome
Cell division Binary fission Mitosis
Sexual reproduction No meiosis; transfer of Involves meiosis
DN only

All information contained in this module are property of UCU and provided solely for educational purposes. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval
system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting
3
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior
written permission of UCU, is strictly prohibited.
 and PARASITOLOGY
MICROBIOLOGY
FIVE KINGDOM CLASSIFICATION
THE DEVELOPMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY

The First Observations Robert Hooke – in 1665, with a crude microscope reported
that the smallest structural units of life were “little boxes”
which he named cells
The Cell Theory – also known as the cell doctrine, states that all organisms are
composed of similar units of organization, called cells
Antoni Van Leeuwehoek – The Father of Bacteriology. His curiosity on why
peppercorns have potent taste led to the discovery of bacteria. He steeped the
peppercorn for 3 weeks to soften them then examined the water. He observed
“incredibly small organisms” this is the first recorded observation of bacteria.
In Sept. 17, 1686 he wrote to the Royal Society of London to describe the white
matter that grew between his teeth, calling them “animalcules”.
Spontaneous Generation – life can arise spontaneously from nonliving materials
Biogenesis – The principle that living organisms develop only from other living
organisms and not from nonliving matter Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)

In 1861 Pasteur resolved the issue between spontaneous generation and

biogenesis. First he filled short-necked flasks with beef broth and boiled them. Some
were left open, others were sealed. The open flasks were positive for microbes while
the sealed flasks were not, proving that microbes from the air can contaminate non-
living matter such as broth. Next he filled longnecked flasks with broth, boiled them,
and bent the necks of the flasks to an S-shape. In this experiment, Pasteur showed
that:

All information contained in this module are property of UCU and provided solely for educational purposes. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval
system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting
4
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior
written permission of UCU, is strictly prohibited.
 1. microorganisms can be present in non-living matter be it solid liquid or gas
2. heat can destroy microbial life
3. methods can be devised to block the access of airborne microorganisms
These are the basis for ASEPTIC TECHNIQUES – techniques that prevent the
contamination by unwanted microorganisms. These are now standard practices in
laboratories and in man medical procedures.

Pasteur was commissioned by French merchants to find out why beer and wine
soured to prevent spoilage during long distance shipping. He found out that

and PARASITOLOGY
1. yeasts convert the sugars in grapes to alcohol in the absence of air
(FERMENTATION)
2. souring is caused by Acetobacter which turns the sugar into acetic acid
Pasteur’s solution was to heat wine and beer just enough to destroy most of the
bacteria. This is now known as PASTEURIZATION.
The Germ Theory of Disease – also called the pathogenic theory of medicine, is

MICROBIOLOGY
a theory that proposes that microorganisms are the cause of many diseases.
Although highly controversial when first proposed, it is now a cornerstone of modern
medicine and clinical microbiology, leading to such important innovations as
antibiotics and hygienic practices.
Joseph Lister (1867) – the Father of Antiseptic Surgery. He demonstrated the value
of spraying operating rooms with aqueous phenol.
Robert Koch (1843-1910) – the Father of Bacteriologic Techniques. He formulated
the criteria that provided proof that a specific organism caused a disease. He also
developed and refined techniques for the isolation of pure culture Koch’s
Postulates

1. A particular organism must be found in all cases of the disease and must not
be present in healthy animals or humans 2. The microorganism must be isolated
from the diseased animal or human and grown in pure culture in the laboratory
3. The same disease must be produced when microorganisms from the pure
culture are inoculated into healthy susceptible laboratory animals
4. The same microorganism must be recovered from the experimentally infected
animal and grown again in pure culture

It is this process that helped Koch confirm that it is indeed the anthrax bacillus that
caused anthrax, and that this bacterium is able to form spores that can resist
adverse conditions. He also identified the causative agent for tuberculosis and
cholera.

GUESS WHO?
All information contained in this module are property of UCU and provided solely for educational purposes. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval
system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting
5
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior
written permission of UCU, is strictly prohibited.
 and PARASITOLOGY
MICROBIOLOGY
Read
• INNOVATIONS IN MICROBIOLOGY.
• FAMOUS FILIPINO MICROBIOLOGISTS AND THEIR
CONTRIBUTIONS.

MICROORGANISMS AND HUMAN WELFARE

We tend to associated microorganisms with major diseases, uncomfortable infection,

and common inconveniences like spoilage of food. But only a minority of microbes
can cause diseases. Others are beneficial to man and the environment in general
1. Recycling vital elements – decomposes organic wastes from plants and
animals to break them down into chemical elements essential to human life
(carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorous)
All information contained in this module are property of UCU and provided solely for educational purposes. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval
system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting
6
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior
written permission of UCU, is strictly prohibited.
 2. Sewage treatment – sewage is a major pollutant that consists of human
excrement, waste water, industrial waste, and surface runoff. After solids
(paper, wood, gravel) are removed, liquid and organic materials are left for
bacteria to convert them into products such as CO2, nitrates, sulfates,
ammonia, phosphates, hydrogen sulfide, and methane. Thus water I recycled
3. Bioremediation – this refers to the use of microorganisms to clean up
pollutants. Some bacteria can use up pollutants as energy source. Others can
break them down into less harmful substances. This technique is used to
remove toxins from underground wells, chemical spills, toxic waste sites, and
oil spills. In 1989, oil was spilled by an oil tanker in an Alaskan beach. This is
known as the Exxon Valdez Disaster of 1989. Bacteria in the genus of

and PARASITOLOGY
Pseudomonas are able to degrade or breakdown oil for their carbon and
energy requirements. The process was too slow, so scientists dropped
bioenhancers on the site. The bacteria increased in number and the oil spill
was cleaned.
4. Insect pest control – Insects can cause devastating crop damages and
spread disease. Pest control is important for both agricultural and prevention
of human diseases. The bacterium Bacillus thuringensis is used to control

MICROBIOLOGY
alfalfa caterpillars, corn borers, cabbageworms, etc. by producing protein
crystals toxic to the digestive system of the insects and introduce by powder
dusting. This helps lessen the use of insecticides on food crops.

SIGNIFICANCE AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF MICROBILOGY

Microbes have a profound impact on every facet of human life and everything
around us. Pathogens harm us, yet other microbes protects us. Some
microbes are pivotal in the growth of crops, but others can kill the plants or
spoil or produce. Bacteria and fungi eliminate the wastes produced in the
environment, but also degrade things we should rather preserve. Clearly they
effect many things we find important as humans.

• HUMAN HEALTH
The discipline of microbiology emerged from the study of
diseases caused by microorganisms, and most advances in
treating various ailments had their roots in this relatively young
science. Understanding both familiar killers and new pathogens
will require an understanding of their bilology, and thus an
understanding of the field of microbiology .

• AGRICULTURE
Aside from being important in biogeochemical cycling of nutrient,
microbes play vital role in maintenance of soil fertility and in crop
protection.

1. Soil fertility
2. Nitrogen-fixers
All information contained in this module are property of UCU and provided solely for educational purposes. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval
system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting
7
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior
written permission of UCU, is strictly prohibited.
 3. Biopesticides
4. Bionematicides
5. Bioweedicides

 INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
Microoganisms are sed for commercial production of alcohols,
acids, fermented foods, vitamins, medicines, and enzymes,
among others.

1. Development of pharmaceutical products.

2. Use of quality-control methods in foo and dairy product

and PARASITOLOGY
production.
3. Production of vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and growth
supplements.
4. Manufacture of many foods, including fermented dairy
products, as well as other fermented foods.

• ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION

MICROBIOLOGY
• BIOTECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS

• GROWTH OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Key Points

• While most microbes are unicellular, some multicellular animals and

plants are also microscopic and are therefore broadly defined as
“microbes.”
• Microbes serve many functions in almost any ecosystem on Earth,
including decomposition and nitrogen fixation.
• Many microbes are either pathogens or parasitic organisms, both of
which can harm humans.
• Van Leeuwenhoek is largely credited with the discovery of microbes,
while Hooke is credited as the first scientist to describe live processes
under a microscope.
• Spallanzani and Pasteur performed several experiments to
demonstrate that microbial life does not arise spontaneously.
• Cohn laid the groundwork for discovering and cataloging microbes,
while Koch conclusively showed that microbes can cause diseases.
• Before the discovery of microbes, it was widely thought that life, as in
the case of rotting food, arose from nothing. This idea was referred to
as spontaneous generation.

All information contained in this module are property of UCU and provided solely for educational purposes. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval
system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting
8
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior
written permission of UCU, is strictly prohibited.
 • By sterilizing cultures and keeping them isolated from the open air,
Pasteur found that contamination of the media only occurred upon
exposure to the outside environment, showing that some element was
needed to give rise to life. In other words, life does not arise
spontaneously.
• Despite Pasteur’s work and the work of others, it still took a better
understanding of germ theory and cell theory to finally displace the
concept of spontaneous generation.
• Koch’s research and methods helped link the causal nature of
microbes to certain diseases, such as anthrax.
• As developed by Koch, pure cultures allow the pure isolation of a

and PARASITOLOGY
microbe, which is vital in understanding how an individual microbe may
contribute to a disease.
• According to Koch’s postulates, for an organism to be the cause of a
disease, it must be found in all cases of the disease and must be
absent from healthy organisms, as well as maintained in pure culture
capable of producing the original infection.

MICROBIOLOGY
Key Terms

• symbiote: An organism in a partnership with another, such that each

profits from the other.
• pathogenic: Able to cause a harmful disease.
• ecosystem: The interconnectedness of plants, animals, and microbes,
not only with each other but also with their environment.
• classification: the act of forming into a class or classes; a distribution
into groups, as classes, orders, families, etc., according to some
common relations or attributes.
• abiogenesis: The origination of living organisms from lifeless matter;
such genesis as does not involve the action of living parents;
spontaneous generation.
• germ theory: The germ theory of disease, also called the pathogenic
theory of medicine, is a theory that proposes that microorganisms are
the cause of many diseases. Although highly controversial when first
proposed, germ theory was validated in the late 19th century and is
now a fundamental part of modern medicine and clinical microbiology,
leading to such important innovations as antibiotics and hygienic
practices.
• anthrax: An infectious bacterial disease of herbivores than can also
occur in humans through contact with infected animals, tissue from
infected animals, or high concentrations of anthrax spores.
• metazoa: All those multicellular animals, of the subkingdom Metazoa,
that have differentiated tissue.
• tuberculosis: An infectious disease of humans and animals caused by
a species of mycobacterium mainly infecting the lungs where it causes
All information contained in this module are property of UCU and provided solely for educational purposes. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval
system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting
9
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior
written permission of UCU, is strictly prohibited.
 tubercles characterized by the expectoration of mucus and sputum,
fever, weight loss, and chest pain, and transmitted through inhalation
or ingestion of bacteria.

REFERENCES: MICROBIOLOGY FOR NURSING STUDENTS

FIRST EDITION 2011
GOOGLE MICROBIOLOGY JOURNALS/MICROBIOLOGY AND
PARASITOLGY

All information contained in this module are property of UCU and provided solely for educational purposes. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval
system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting
10
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior
written permission of UCU, is strictly prohibited.