Chapter 1: Introduction To Microbiology

Question 1

Study of organisms and agents too small to be seen by the naked eye (<1mm)

Answer 1

Microbiology

Question 2

“The study of organisms that can exist as single cells (others are acellular), contain a nucleic acid genome for at least some part of their life cycle, and are capable of replicating that genome.”

Answer 2

Microbiology (new definition)

Question 3

Largest bacterium

Answer 3

2022: Thiomargarita magnifica (9000 um)

1999: T. namibiensis (1800 um)

Question 4

The science of microbiology revolves around two interconnected themes:

Answer 4

Understanding the living world of microscopic organisms (as a basic biological science)

Applying our understanding of microbial life processes for the benefit of humankind and planet Earth (as an applied biological science)

Question 5

Importance of microorganisms

Answer 5

first living organisms on planet
live everywhere life is possible
more numerous than any other kind of organisms global ecosystem depends on their activities influence human society in many ways

Question 6

Interest in specific group of microorganisms and their biology.

Answer 6

Basic microbiology

Question 7

Basic microbiology

Answer 7

Virology: viruses
Mycology: fungi
Phycology: algae
Protozoology: protozoa Bacteriology: bacteria

Question 8

Applying our understanding of microbial life processes for the benefit of humankind and planet Earth.

Answer 8

Applied microbiology

Question 9

Infected with the eggs of the parasite Trichuris trichiura, which may have caused him to have abdominal pain and anemia
• Possible infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterium that causes Lyme disease
• Some researchers think he may have been trying to treat his infections with the woody fruit of the Piptoporus betulinus fungus. This fungus has both laxative and antibiotic properties.

Answer 9

Ötzi the Iceman

Question 10

Ancient Greeks attributed disease to bad air, mal’aria, which they called “_______.”

The Romans also believed in the “miasma” hypothesis and created a complex sanitation infrastructure to deal with sewage.

In Rome, they built aqueducts, which brought fresh water into the city, and a giant sewer, the Cloaca Maxima, which carried waste away and into the river Tiber.

Answer 10

miasmatic odors

Question 11

invented the first compound microscope (3-10x)

Answer 11

1957: Zacharias Janssen

Question 12

• suggested to be the first to observe
  microorganisms (20 years before Hooke’s observation; 29 years before van Leeuwenhoek)

• wrote a book chapter, in Latin: “Concerning the wonderful structure of things in nature, investigated by Microscope”.
• “who would believe that vinegar and milk abound with an innumerable multitude of worms. ”
• “…putrid material is full of innumerable creeping animalcule”

Answer 12

Athanasius Kirche

Question 13

“Wee animalcules”

Answer 13

1676: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

Question 14

simple compound microscope (30x)
→ “cells” in cork
→ “elongated stalks” (fungi)

Answer 14

1665: Robert Hooke

Question 15

(Life emerges from non-living matter; “vital force” required)

Answer 15

Spontaneous generation theory