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Microbiology and Parasitology (Bio 32)
Microbiology- study of microorganisms (microscopic).
-organisms that lack tissue level
1. Bacteria- unicellular 2. Archaea- unicellular 3. Fungi-- single & multi cell forms - yeast, filamentous molds, complex fungi 4. Protists - single cell, some multicellular- algae, protozoans, slime molds 5. Viruses (acellular, intracellular parasites), viroids and prions
Microbiology revolves around two interconnected themes
- Understanding basic life processes -> Microbes are excellent models for understanding cellular processes in unicellular and multicellular organisms.
- Applying our understanding of the microbial world for the benefit of human-kind and planet Earth. -> Microbes play important roles in medicine, agriculture, and industry
Basic microbiology - uses microbial cells to probe the fundamental processes of life. Applied microbiology -uses knowledge gain usually from basic sciences to make improvements.
The importance of Microbiology
The impact of microorganisms on humans
Microorganisms can be both harmful and beneficial Emphasis typically on harmful microorganism Many more microorganisms are beneficial (~98%) than are harmful (~2%).
A. Causative agents of infectious diseases (pathogens)
Nearly 2,000 different microbes cause diseases 10 B infections/year worldwide 13 M deaths from infections/year worldwide
B. Normal flora 1. Beneficial metabolic functions - Production of Vit. K, Folic Acid for normal formation of the blood vessels of the baby inside the womb of the mother.
- Antagonistic effect - prevents invasion pathogens, overgrowth of potential pathogens
C. Microorganisms and Agriculture – Many aspects of agriculture depend on microbial activities.
- Positive impacts
- nitrogen-fixing bacteria
- cellulose-degrading microbes in the rumen
- regeneration of nutrients in soil and water
- Negative impacts
- diseases in plants and animals
Industrial microbiology- applies microbial sciences to create industrial products in mass quantities. Aquatic microbiology- deals with microscopic living organisms in fresh or saltwater systems. Marine Microbiology- the study of the microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, viruses and microbial eukaryotes) in the marine environment, including their biodiversity, ecology and biogeochemistry. Microbial ecology- is the ecology of microorganisms: their relationship with one another and with their environment. It concerns the three major domains of life—Eukaryota, Archaea, and Bacteria—as well as viruses. Microbial systematics Microbial physiology Microbial biochemistry Bacterial genetics Virology Biotechnology Genomics: Transcriptomics Metabolomics
Why do you think so many environmental microbes cannot be cultured in laboratory broth or agar media?
Some bacteria are low in abundance (large QUANTITY) and grow slowly, so they may be missed during standard microbiological cultivation. Others are fastidious and have specific growth requirements which must be strictly followed.
Example LEPROSY and SYPHILIS
LEPROSY- an infection caused by slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium lepra. Affects the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose.
SYPHILIS- is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The disease starts as a painless sore — typically on the genitals, rectum or mouth
LEPROSY SYPHILIS
