Lecture 1 Notes

Introduction to Microbiology and Parasitology

Instructor: Roy P. Maribojoc MD

Microbiology
● Is derived from the Greek words mikros (“small”), bios (“life”), logia or
logos (“study of”)
● the branch of biology that deals with the study of microorganisms(e.g.
bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa)
● the study of organism that are so small they cannot be seen with the
naked eye

Bacteria

● microscopic unicellular prokaryotic organisms characterized by the lack of

a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. (e.g
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycobacerium tuberculosis, Neisseria
gonorrhea)

Prokaryote- An organism characterized by the absence of a distinct,

membrane-bound nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, and its DNA is not
organized into chromosomes. Sometimes referred to as moneran.

Protozoa
● Any of a large group of single-celled to multicellular, usually microscopic,
eukaryotic organisms, such as amoebas, ciliates, flagellates, and
sporozoans which possess a plant-like (e.g. phytoflagellates and slime
molds) and animal-like characteristics (e.g. Entamoeba histolitica,
Giardia lamblia)
.
Eukaryote- A single-celled or multicellular organism whose cells contain a
distinct membrane-bound nucleus and complex organelles.

Fungi
fungi [pl. of fungus]
● a general term for a group of eukaryotic organisms (mushrooms, yeasts,
molds, etc.) which range in form from a single cell (yeast form) to a body
mass of branched filamentous hyphae (mycelium) marked by the
absence of chlorophyll, the presence of a rigid cell wall in some stage of
the life cycle, and typical reproduction by means of spores.
Virus

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 ● Any of various simple submicroscopic parasites of plants, animals, and
bacteria that often cause disease and that consist essentially of a core of
RNA or DNA surrounded by a protein coat. Unable to replicate without
a host cell, therefore viruses are typically not considered living organisms,
but classified as functionally active or inactive. (e.g HIV, Pappiloma, Pox,
Influenza viruses)

Parasitology
● the study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationship between them

● From Latin parasitus < Greek παράσιτος (parasitos), "'person who eats at
the table of another'")

Parasitism is an interaction in which one organism (the parasite) co-opts the

resources of another organism (the host).

A host is an organism that provides nourishment and shelter to other organism

even to the extent of sacrificing its own survival.

Types:
A primary host or definitive host is a host in which the parasite reaches
maturity and, if applicable, reproduces sexually.

A secondary host or intermediate host is a host that harbors the parasite only
for a short transition period, during which (usually) some developmental stage is
completed.

Vectors

Responsible for transmitting the parasite from one host to another

Types:

Biologic vectors transmit the parasites only after it has undergone

development within the vector organism. When an Aedes mosquito sucks blood
from a filariasis patient, the parasite undergoes several stages of development
from L1 to L3 before the infective L3 stage is transmitted to another susceptible
host.

Mechanical or phoretic vectors transport the parasite only to another host.

Flies and cockroaches that feed on fecal material can carry enteric organism to
humans.

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Parasite

● An organism that grows, feeds, and is sheltered on or in a different

organism while contributing nothing to the survival of its host.
(e.g. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura, Enterobious vermicularis)