Microbiology

Microbiology

- science that deals with the study of

very small or minute organisms

- study of microorganisms
Microorganisms/Scope

- Bacteria (Bacteriology)

- Archaea (Crenarcheota, Eurearcheota,

Korarcheota, Nanoarcheota)

- Algae (Phycology)

- Protozoans (Protozoology)

- Fungi (Mycology)

- Viruses (Virology)
Microorganisms as cells
- an open and dynamic entity

- communicate and exchange materials with

their environment

- highly organized structure consisting

primarily of proteins, lipids, nucleic acid and
polysaccharide

- possess characteristics of living system

(domain of life)
Domain of life
- reproduction (growth)
- metabolism (uptake, transport, elimination)
- differentiation (e.g. Spore formation)
- communication (chemical signal)
- movement
- evolution
Two basic themes of Microbiology

- basic biological science

- provides tools for probing the processes of life
(the understanding of the chemical and
physical basis of life)

- applied biological science

- deals with practical problems in medicine,
agriculture and industry
Impact/Importance of Microorganisms in
Humans
Goal of Microbiologist:
- understand how the microorganisms
works and devise ways in which the
benefits of microorganisms can be
increased and its harmful effects will
be curtailed.
1. Medicine
- infectious disease agents
3% - pathogenic
10%- opportunistic
87%- non-pathogenic

- improve sanitary practices

- discovery and use of antimicrobial agents

2. Agriculture

- Nitrogen fixation (for plant growth)

- Digestive process of ruminant animals
- Cycling of nutrients ( C, N, S)
- Plant and animal diseases
3. Food and Industry

- Fermentation
- Food additive
- Food preservation (Bacteriocin)
- Food products
(cheese, yogurt, milk, etc.)
4. Energy and Environment

- Biofuels/Natural gas
(e.g. Methane by methanogenic m.o.)

- Bioremediation/Biodegradation
(removal of toxic pollutants, xenobiotics)

- Mineralization
5. Biotechnology

- Genetic engineering
- GMO
- Pharmaceutical products
- Gene therapy/Therapeutic measures
 Specific areas of Microbiology

- General microbiology
- Medical microbiology
- Veterinary microbiology
- Agricultural microbiology
-Food microbiologist
- Dairy microbiologist
- Industrial microbiology
- Industrial microbiologist
- Applied microbiologist
- Sanitary microbiology
- Environmental microbiology
- Space microbiology/Exobiology
- Microbial physiology
- Microbial genetics
- Microbial ecology
Historical Background

- Observation of microorganisms
- Microorganisms as living entities
- Role of microorganisms
Other contributions by Leeuwenhoek

- made the first recorded functional microscope

(based on Janseen’s idea)
- first describe bacteria, blood cells, spermatozoa
- described bacteria into three forms: cocci
bacilli and spiral-shaped microorganisms
- Father of Microbiology
Other contribution of Pasteur
- Fermentation process
by bacteria
- Introduce the aerobe and anaerobes
- Significant contribution to the germ theory of
the disease (specific agent to a disease)
- Changes hospital practices to minimize
nosocomial infection
- Vaccines: cholera, anthrax and rabies
Other contributions of Koch
- Germ theory of the disease (Jacob Henle)
- develop the use of solid culture media (Hesse)
(use of agar from algae)
- the use of petridishes (Petri)
- fixing, staining and photographing bacteria
- descovered Vibrio cholarae and spores of
Bacillus anthracis
- Tuberculin (skin test for TB)
 Bacterial Cell
Structure and Classification