Course: B. Tech.

(Biology)

Semester III

Unit 9: MICROBIOLOGY

Department of Life Sciences

CLASSIFICATION OF ORGANISMS
 Unicellular Organisms Multicellular Organisms

Multicellular organisms are composed of more than one

Unicellular organisms are composed of a single cell
cell
Simple body organization Complex body organization
A single cell carries out all necessary life processes Multiple cells perform different functions
The total cell body is exposed to the environment Only the outer cells are exposed to the environment
Prokaryotic in nature Eukaryotic in nature
Multicellular organisms have a comparatively longer
A lifespan of a unicellular organism is usually short
lifespan
Injury to a cell does not cause the death of the
Injury to the cell leads to the death of the organism
multicellular organism
Asexual reproduction is predominant, however, sexual
Reproduction happens sexually as well as asexually
reproduction is also seen (conjugation)
They are microscopic in nature Most are macroscopic in nature
Bacteria, amoeba, paramecium and yeast are examples of Humans, animals, plants, birds and insects, are examples
unicellular organisms of multicellular organisms
 Single Cell Concept

In the field of cellular biology, single-cell analysis is the study

of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and cell–cell interactions at the
single cell level
 Single cell concept and analysis
Due to the heterogeneity seen in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell populations, analyzing a single cell
makes it possible to discover mechanisms not seen when studying a bulk population of cells.

Technologies such as fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) allow the precise isolation of selected single
cells from complex samples, while high throughput single cell partitioning technologies, enable the
simultaneous molecular analysis of hundreds or thousands of single unsorted cells; this is particularly useful
for the analysis of transcriptome variation in genotypically identical cells, allowing the definition of otherwise
undetectable cell subtypes.

The development of new technologies is increasing our ability to analyze the genome and transcriptome of
single cells, as well as to quantify their proteome and metabolome.

Mass spectrometry techniques have become important analytical tools for proteomic and metabolomic
analysis of single cells.

Recent advances have enabled quantifying thousands of protein across hundreds of single cells, and thus make
possible new types of analysis. In situ sequencing and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) do not require
that cells be isolated and are increasingly being used for analysis of tissues.
 Classification of Organisms based on cell structure
Prokaryotes Eukaryotes

DNA arrangement Circular, Naked, Usually no introns Linear, Bound to protein, has introns
Organelle No nucleus Has a nucleus
No membrane bound Membrane bound
70S ribosomes 80S ribosomes

Plasmids Present Very rarely found in eukaryotes

Cell size Smaller Larger
Reproduction Asexual (Binary fission) Chromosome paired (diploid or more)
Single chromosome (Haploid)
Example Bacterial and Archaeal cell Plant, Animal, and Human cell
 Single Cell Isolation

• Many single-cell analysis techniques require the isolation of individual cells.

Methods currently used for single cell isolation include:
Dielectrophoretic digital sorting, enzymatic digestion, FACS, hydrodynamic
traps, laser capture microdissection, manual
picking, microfluidics, micromanipulation, serial dilution, and Raman
tweezers.

• Manual single cell picking is a method where cells in a suspension are viewed
under a microscope, and individually picked using a micropipette.

• Raman tweezers is a technique where Raman spectroscopy is combined

with optical tweezers, which uses a laser beam to trap, and manipulate cells
Species Concept
IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MICROORGANISMS

BASICS TERMS USED IN CLASSIFICATION

Phylogenetic classification system: Group reflects genetic similarity and
evolutionary relatedness.

Phenetic classification system: Group do not necessarily reflects genetic

similarity or evolutionary relatedness. Instead, groups are based on convenient,
observable characteristics.

Taxonomy: Is the science of classification, i.e. biological classification.

Systematics: refers to the study and classification of organisms for the

determination of evolutionary relationships of organisms. Therefore,
systematics consists of both taxonomy and evolution.
Contrast
Reflects the number of visible shades in a
specimen, it is done through staining of the
specimen.

Refractive Index
Refractive index is the light bending ability of a
medium, the light may bend in air so much that
it misses the small high-magnification lens, the
refractive index of oil and glass are similar and
immersion oil is used to keep light from
bending.
Classification of Microorganisms based on Morphology
Sterilization
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