UNIT 8

MICROBIOLOGY

Bacteria

They are unicellular organisms and they don’t have a nucleus, presenting cell walls
similar to plant cells. They normally reproduce themselves by binary fusion, every 20
minutes in suitable conditions. They are in the air, on our skin, in the ground and so
on. Bacteria are very small and they cannot be seen without a microscope.

Some bacteria are pathogens and can make us sick. They can cause disease and
illness by attacking and destroying body cells or producing poisonous substances
(toxins).

Some bacteria are very useful to human body:

 Food bacteria used in yogurt, cheese, soy sauce;

 One type of bacteria, the decomposer break down material from dead plants
and animals, helping to create soil;
 Body bacteria, that help us digest.

VIRUSES

A virus is an infective and disease-producing agent. It does not have an organised cell
structure and a nucleus. Viruses have one or two strands of DNA or RNA.

Viruses can infect animals and plants.

Viruses can be passed from one person to another by shaking hands, touching food,
through water, or air. They can also be passed on by insect bites, animals or through
bad food. The disease caused by Viruses can be influenza, cold, hepatitis and yellow
fever.

Vaccines provide protection from viruses for several years.

To prevent infections you can:

-wash your hands;

-do not put your hands in the mouth, nose or eyes;

- do not rub your nose or eyes;

-make sure your food is well-cooked;

-take vitamins;

-do regular exercise.

FUNGI
They consist of multicellular filaments, called hyphae. They distribute themselves by
spores, formed asexually.

Fungi can be found in the water, air or even plants and animals.

There are over one million different identified species of fungi; among them we find:

1. Moulds;
2. Mushrooms and toadstools;
3. Yeasts.

MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION
Contamination can cause severe diseases for human body. To cause an infection
microbes must enter our bodies. They can enter through:

 The respiratory tract;

 The gastrointestinal tract;
 The urogenital tract;
 Through the surface of the skin.