Microbiology

Zhu zhiyong
The college of Chemistry and Bioengeering yichun University

CHAPTER 1 The Microbial World

1.1 What is a microbe?

The word microbe (microorganism) is used to describe an organism that is so small that, normally, it cannot be seen without the use of a microscope. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and some algae are all included in this category.

1.2 The scope of microorganisms

Microorganisms are usually divided into six subgroups: bacterial, archaea, algae, fungi, protozoa and virus. The nature of microorganisms makes them both very difficult and easy to study. Easy, because they reproduce so rapidly and we can quickly grow large populations in the laboratory. Difficult, because we cant see them directly.

1.3 The importance of microbiology

1.3.1 The impact of microbes on earth
Microorganisms can be found nearly every-where from deep in the earths crust, to the polar ice caps and oceans, to the bodies of plants and animals.

Microorganisms were the first life on earth.

The first bacterial appeared approximately 3.5 billion yea

Microbial involvement in energy and nutrient flow

Microbes are responsible for changing the atmosphere of the earth from one without oxygen to one with oxygen. Photosynthetic microorganism account for more than 50% of the earths photosynthesis contributing the majority of the oxygen to the atmosphere

Microbes are responsible for the cycling of carbon, nitrogen and phosphors (geochemical cycles), all essential components of living organisms. They are found in association with plants in symbiotic relationships, maintain soil fertilitv and may also be used to clean up the environment of toxic compounds. Some microbes are devastating plant pathogens, which destroy important food crops, but others may act as biological control agents against these diseases.

1.3.2 Human use of microorganisms

Infectious diseases and the human condition

Nearly 2000 microbes are pathogens that cause infectious deseases.

(the ten most common infectious causes of death)

Infectious diseases are no longer the leading cause of death in North America, due to the development and use of antimicrobial agents, and improved sanitary practices

The disease-causing ability of some microbes such as smallpox(, cholera and malaria, is well known. However, micro-organisms have also provided us with the means of their control in the form of antibiotics and other medically important drugs.

1.4 The characteristics of microorganism

1 Microscopic 2 independent units 3 less complex 4 rapid growth rates 5 opmipresent

1.5 The history of microbiology

Antony van Leeuwenhock (1632-1723) The first person to accurately observe and describe microorganisms

Leeuwenkoek made his simple, single-lens microscope which could amplify the object being viewed 50 300 times. Between 1673 1723, he wrote a series of letters to the Royal Society of London describing the microbes he observed from the samples of rainwater, and humam mouth.

lens
Object being viewed adjusting

screws

A drawing of one of the microscopes showing the lens a; mounting pin b; and focusing screws c and d.

Leeuwenhoeks drawings of bacteria from the human mouth.

Louis Pasteur (1822 1895)

Pasteurs contributions: Final refutation of spontaneous generation birth of microbiology as a science Discovery of the existence of anaerobic life fermentation Vaccines Pasteurization Louis Pasteur working in his laboratory

1. Pasteur (1857) demonstrated that lactic acid fermentation is due to the activity of microorganisms.

2. Pasteur (1861) conflict over spontaneous generation birth of microbiology as a science

3. Pasteur (1881) developed anthrax() vaccine 4. Pasteurization

Robert Koch (1843 1910) The recognition of microbial role in disease

Robert Kock in his laboratory

Kochs postulates
1. The microorganisms must be present in every

case of the disease but absent from healthy organisms. 2. The suspected microorganisms must be isolated and grown in a pure culture. 3. The disease must result when the isolated microorganisms is inoculated into a healthy host. 4. The same microorganisms must be isolated again from the diseased host

Alexander Fleming (1881-1955)

Sir Alexander Fleming discovered the antibiotic penicillin. He had the insight to recognize the significance of the inhibition of bacterial growth in the vicinity of a fungal contaminant when most other scientists probably would have simply discarded the contaminated plates.

1.6 Category
The systemic taxa of mocroorganisms follow the systemic taxa built by Linnaeusincluding seven grades from top to bottom: Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species

There are more than ten grades in the systemic taxa altogether, because each grade, if needed, could sub-divide some auxiliary units

Classification of microorganisms

Five-kingdom of life

Three-kingdom of life