Introduction to Microbiology and bacterial structures Flashcards
What is a microorganism?
The science of microorganisms Microbiology
Microorganisms (or microbes) are organisms that are too small to be seen with the unaided eye —> require a microscope (except for some moulds)
1030 microbes estimated in different habitats (more than stars in the known Universe)
List the major groups of microbes:
Bacteria > Bacteriology
Fungi (yeasts and moulds) > Mycology
Parasites (protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites) > Parasitology
Micro-algae > Phycology
Viruses and prions > Virology
Microorganism diversity = flow diagram (from moulds)
Generally
Moulds > Protozoa > Yeasts > Bacteria > Viruses > Prions
Define cellular:
formed by cell(s)
A single cell (monocellular) – e.g. bacteria
more cells (pluricellular) – e.g. moulds
Define Acellular:
without a cellular structure (e.g. viruses and prions)
prokaryotic cells
barteria
eukaryotic cells
protozoa, yeasts, moulds
3 domains of bacteria
Bacteria
Archaea
Eukarya
Microorganisms as cellular entities
Bacteria / Archea > Bacteriology
Fungi > Mycology
Parasites > Parasitology
Microalgae > Phycology
acteria / Archea > Bacteriology
Prokaryotes
Mostly unicellular / monocellular
Fungi > Mycology
Eukaryotes
Yeasts > Unicellular
Moulds > Pluricellular
Parasites > Parasitology
Eukaryotes
Protozoa > Unicellular
Helminths > Pluricellular
Microalgae > Phycology
Mostly eukaryotic
Both unicellular and pluricellular
Do microorganisms that have nonliving agent include cells?
NO - not made up of cells
Virus > Virology
Characteristics:
- Acellular (do not have a cellular structure)
- Small infectious particles consist of nucleic acid surrounded by a protective coat of protein(s)
- Coat may be enclosed in a lipid envelope
- They do not divide
- They need to infect a cell to replicate their particles
Prions > Virology
Made up of?
Simpler infectious particles made up of only proteins (no nucleic acids)
What is the Impact of Microbes on the Environment and Human Activities?
(essential for life on earth)
- Organic waste decomposition
(e.g. sewage) - Production of food (e.g. cheese, bread, beer by fermentation)
- Drugs/enzymes synthesis
(e.g. penicillin, insulin, etc.) - Digestion and molecule generation (e.g. vitamins, etc)
- Oxygen generation (photosynthesis)
- Nitrogen fixation (converting atmospheric N2 to ammonia, NH3)
Where are microbes present - human body?
present in body and out of body = NORMAL microbiota
> 100 trillions microorganisms harboured per person (≈10X higher human cells)
Less than _% of microbes cause diseases (pathogens)
1%
The majority of normal microbiota are not harmful and can be helpful to:
a) prevent growth of pathogens
b) produce growth factors (e.g vitamins B and K)
c) breaking down toxic molecules, boosting the immune system and antimicrobial chemicals
What do you call bacteria have one or more shapes?
pleomorphic
Arrangements of Bateria:
Pairs:
diplococci,
diplobacilli
Clusters
(random planes):
staphylococci
Chains (one plane): streptococci, streptobacilli
Groups of four: tetrads
How to name and classify Microorganisms?
Each organism have TWO names - the GENUS and the SPECIES EPITHET
both = written italicised
genus name = CAPITALISED
The specific epithet = lowercase
genus name = can be abbreviated
e.g. Staphylococcus (Genus) aureus (species) – S. aureus (abbreviation)
Escherichia (Genus) coli (species) - E.coli (abbreviation)
Some are named after scientists / or be descriptive: Escherichia coli or E.coli
Honors the discoverer, Theodor Escherich
Describes the bacterium’s habitat—the large intestine, or colon
Vibrio cholerae
Single curved-rod cells (Vibrio)
The agent of cholera (cholerae)