Microbiology

Aniruddha Roy
Scope and Objective of the Course:
At the end of the course, the student will:
Be familiar with microbial diversity
Characteristics of bacteria and viruses
Have an understanding of microbial growth, factors affecting
growth, techniques for isolation and cultivation of
microorganisms.
Have an understanding of physical and chemical methods for
controlling or preventing bacterial growth.
Describe the bacterial mechanisms of gene exchange.
Have an understanding of physical and chemical methods for
controlling or preventing bacterial growth.
Discuss mechanisms of microbial pathogenicity and host
resistance to microbes.
Able to use appropriate aseptic techniques, microscopy, and
biochemical testing to identify unknown bacteria.
Lect. No. Learning Objectives Topics to be covered
Introduction, importance and
1-2 The science of microbiology classification of microorganismes.
Staining techniques.
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic Structure and function in general
3-6
cells
Media requirements, culture media,
growth curve, preserving bacterial
7-9 Microbial growth culture, obtaining pure culture etc.

The ultimate parasites,

10-13 The viruses classification of viruses,
bacteriophages & animal viruses
The way microorganisms die,
14-15 Sterilization techniques physical controls on microorganisms
Chemical controls on
Antiseptics , disinfectants Microorganisms, examples of
16-18
and preservatives chemicals, mechanism of action and
their evaluation
 Introduction of genetic material &
19-20 Microbial Genetics genetic exchange among
microorganisms
Defending the bodys Nonspecific defenses & specific
21-25 defenses
interior
Microbial diseases of Skin, CNS,
Disorders associated with RT, GIT, immune system etc.
26-30
various systems
Medicinally important
microorganisms ,
31-34 Antimicrobial drugs Targets of antimicrobial drugs,
Classification with structures,
mechanism of action etc.
Production of antibiotics and
35-37 Applied microbiology Vaccines etc.
Sterility testing, pyrogen testing,
Evaluation/screening of
38-40 Miscellaneous antimicrobial drugs (in-vitro and in
vivo)
S. Evaluation Duratio Weightage Date & Remark
No. Components n (%) Time s

1. Surprise quiz 10 min 15 During CB

(s) semester

2. Mid-term test 90 30 To be CB
minutes announced
3 Lab - 20 Lab hours
components$

4 Compre. Exams. 3 hrs 35 To be OB + CB

announced

* Surprise tests will be conducted during class/tutorials on the

basis of topics covered in class
$ Weightage of lab components : Day to day Work - 5%; Viva

(continious) - 2.5%; Lab compre Quiz - 5%; Experimentation

(Compre) - 3%; Synopsis : 2%; Viva (Compre) - 2.5%
Chamber consultation :
Between 9am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday
E-mail : aniruddha.roy@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in
Phone : 7727036088
 What is microbiology
Study of Micro-organisms: Organisms that EXIST as Single
Cells or cell clusters and must be viewed individually with the
aid of a Microscope

1. EXIST (Webster definition)To continue to be, have life; live

HALLMARKS OF LIFE
1. METABOLISM (nutrient uptake, biomass, waste output)
2. DIFFERENTIATION (Bacillus spp. Caulobacter)
3. REPRODUCTION (binary fission)
4. COMMUNICATION (Pseudomonas aeruginosa)
5. EVOLUTION (antibiotic resistance, pathogens)
 Metabolism

Take in nutrients from the environment

glucose, lactose, other sugars, fats=lipids, proteins,
toxic wastes, oils and petrol

Assimilate the nutrients into BIOMASS

DNA, proteins, carbohydrates and
complex carbohydrates, lipids

Release waste products into the environment

gases, alcohols, acids and organic compounds
 Differentiation to form distinct
structures
The process by which cells, tissue, and organs acquire specialized
features, especially during development.
Bacillus spp. endospore forming cells
Anabaena spp. Cyanobacteria forming heterocysts

T.J. Deveridge M. Dworkin

 Reproduction
To generate progeny of ones same type
A bacterium duplicates its DNA and forms a daughter cell via binary
fission
Yeast duplicates its DNA and forms a daughter cell via budding, or
mates with another yeast cell and produces haploid progeny.
 Communication
interaction with other cellsresponse to other
cells
 Evolution
To change ones genetic make up (DNA sequence) to
adapt to ones environment

Bacteria can take up DNA from the environment or other cells via
Transformationuptake of naked DNA

Transductionphage (bacterial specific virus) mediated

uptake of DNA

Conjugationuptake of DNA that requires the interaction

of two bacteria

Antibiotic resistance, bacterial pathogenesis

 What is microbiology
Study of Micro-organisms: Organisms that EXIST as Single
Cells or cell clusters and must be viewed individually with the
aid of a Microscope
 KEYWORD single CELLS
(OR cell clusters)

Characteristics that microorganisms have that make them

true cells :

1. CELL MEMBRANE barrier that separates the inside of the cell

from the outside
2. NUCLEUS OR NUCLEIOD location of genetic information
(DNA)
3. CYTOPLASM & ORGANELLES location of the machinery for
cell growth and function
4. MACROMOLECULES proteins, nucleic acids, lipids,
polysaccharides
 KEYWORD exist as SINGLE cells
(OR cell clusters)

We are multicellular creaturesmade up of many cells

What makes one of our cells different from a microbial cell??

A single microbial cell can have an independent existenceour

specialized cells need to interact with other cells in order to carry
out their cellular functions for the good of the entire organism.
An Introduction to Microbiology
Microbes in Our Lives

Microorganisms are organisms that are too small to

be seen with the unaided eye.
Germ refers to a rapidly growing cell.

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An estimated 90% of the cells in our body are not our own but rather
belong to this microbiome.

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Normal Microbiota

Normal microbiota prevent growth of pathogens.

Normal microbiota produce growth factors such as folic
acid and vitamin K.
Resistance is the ability of the body to ward off
disease.
Resistance factors include skin, stomach acid, and
antimicrobial chemicals.

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Uses of Microorganisms

Decompose organic waste

Are producers in the ecosystem by photosynthesis
Produce industrial chemicals such as ethanol
and acetone
Produce fermented foods such as vinegar, cheese,
and bread

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Microorganisms

Produce products used in manufacturing

(e.g., cellulase) and treatment (e.g., insulin)
Only a few are pathogenic, disease-causing

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Knowledge of Microorganisms

Allows humans to
Prevent food spoilage
Prevent disease occurrence
Led to aseptic techniques to prevent contamination in
medicine and in microbiology laboratories.

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A Brief History of Microbiology

Ancestors of bacteria were the first life on Earth.

The first microbes were observed in 1673.

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The First Observations

In 1665, Robert Hooke reported that living things were

composed of little boxes or cells.
In 1858, Rudolf Virchow said cells arise from
preexisting cells.
Cell theory: All living things are composed of cells and
come from preexisting cells.

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The First Observations

1673-1723, Antoni
van Leeuwenhoek
described live
microorganisms that
he observed in teeth
scrapings, rain
water, and
peppercorn
infusions.
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The Debate Over Spontaneous Generation

The hypothesis that living organisms arise from

nonliving matter is called spontaneous generation.
According to spontaneous generation, a vital force
forms life.
The alternative hypothesis, that the living organisms
arise from preexisting life, is called biogenesis.

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Evidence Pro and Con

1668: Francisco Redi filled six jars with decaying

meat.
Conditions Results

Three jars covered with fine No maggots

net

Three open jars Maggots appeared

From where did the maggots come?

What was the purpose of the sealed jars?
Spontaneous generation or biogenesis?
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Evidence Pro and Con

1745: John Needham put boiled nutrient broth into

covered flasks.

Conditions Results

Nutrient broth heated, then Microbial growth

placed in sealed flask

From where did the microbes come?

Spontaneous generation or biogenesis?

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Evidence Pro and Con

1765: Lazzaro Spallanzani boiled nutrient solutions

in flasks.

Conditions Results

Nutrient broth placed in flask, No microbial growth

sealed, then heated

Spontaneous generation or biogenesis?

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Evidence Pro and Con

1861: Louis Pasteur demonstrated that

microorganisms are present in the air.

Conditions Results

Nutrient broth placed in flask, Microbial growth

heated, not sealed

Nutrient broth placed in flask, No microbial growth

heated, then sealed

Spontaneous generation or biogenesis?

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The Theory of Biogenesis

Pasteurs S-shaped flask kept microbes out but let

air in.

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 The Golden Age of Microbiology

1857-1914
Beginning with
Pasteurs work,
discoveries included the
relationship between
microbes and disease,
immunity, and
antimicrobial drugs

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Naming and Classifying Microorganisms

Linnaeus established the system of scientific

nomenclature.
Each organism has two names: the genus and
specific epithet or species.

For example:
Escherichia coli

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Scientific Names

Are italicized or underlined. The genus is capitalized

and the specific epithet is lower case.
Are Latinized and used worldwide.
May be descriptive or honor a scientist.

Homo sapiens sapiens

or Homo sapiens
Homo is Latin for man
sapiens means wise
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Scientific Names

Staphylococcus aureus
Describes the clustered arrangement of the cells
(staphylo-) and the golden color of the colonies
(aur-).

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Scientific Names

Escherichia coli
Honors the discoverer, Theodor Escherich, and
describes the bacteriums habitatthe large intestine
or colon.

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Scientific Names

After the first use, scientific names may be abbreviated

with the first letter of the genus and the specific epithet:
Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are
found in the human body.

S. aureus is on skin and E. coli in the large intestine.

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 Classification of Microorganisms

Four domains
Bacteria
Archaea
Eukarya
Fungi
Protozoa
Algae
Viruses (although not a cellular
entity but an intracellular
pathogen)
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Microorganisms
Rod shaped bacteria Fungus

Protozoa Algae HIV-virus

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Bacteria

Prokaryotes
Peptidoglycan cell walls
Rod (Bacillus), Spherical
(Coccus), and Spiral shape.
Binary fission
For energy, use organic
chemicals, inorganic
chemicals, or photosynthesis

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Archaea
Prokaryotic
Lack peptidoglycan
Some live in extreme environments
Include
Methanogens
Extreme halophiles (halo salt)
Extreme thermophiles
Not known to cause disease
Possess genes and several metabolic pathways that are
more closely related to those of eukaryotes, notably
the enzymes involved in transcription and translation.
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Fungi
Eukaryotes
Chitin cell walls
Use organic chemicals for
energy.
Molds and mushrooms are
multicellular consisting of
masses of mycelia, which
are composed of filaments
called hyphae.
Yeasts are unicellular.

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Algae

Eukaryotes
Cellulose cell walls
Use photosynthesis for
energy
Produce molecular oxygen
and organic compounds
Not known to cause disease

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Protozoa

Eukaryotes
Defined as single-celled
organisms with animal-like
behaviors, such
as motility and predation.
Can live either as free
entities or as parasites
May be motile via
pseudopods, cilia,
or flagella

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Viruses

Acellular
Consist of DNA or RNA core
Core is surrounded by a
protein coat.
Coat may be enclosed in a
lipid envelope.
Viruses are replicated only
when they are in a living
host cell.

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Multicellular Animal Parasites

Eukaryote
Multicellular animals
Parasitic flatworms and round worms are called
helminths.
Microscopic stages in life cycles.

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Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings
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