DOCSLIB.ORG

The Microbiology Major Deals with Microscopic Organisms, Such As Bacteria, Fungi, Algae, Protozoa, & Viruses

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Microbiology Major Deals with Microscopic Organisms, Such As Bacteria, Fungi, Algae, Protozoa, & Viruses The Microbiology major deals with microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa, & viruses. Microbiology students study microbial growth, survival, metabolism, genetics, and physiology, while examining the organism’s relationship to the environment, biotechnology, and diseases. Many microbiologist focus on a specialized field in microbiology that can be used in hospital/clinical laboratories, the environment, the food industry, research laboratories, and in colleges/universities. Some Characteristics of Microbiology Majors: Professional: ♦ Interest in microorganisms American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science ♦ Enjoy working in a laboratory American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular ♦ Desire to understand how microbes cause diseases Biology ♦ Desire for intellectual growth American Society for Microbiology ♦ Interest in government, academic, or private jobs Association for Clinical Biochemistry ♦ Precision and attention to details ♦ Inquisitive Careers in Microbiology: Employment: What You Gain From Studying Microbiology: Microbiology can be used in medical, academic, Knowledge: veterinary, environmental, public health, food, and The Microbiology major prepares students to pursue pharmaceutical industries to examine the way medical, dental, and other health-professional microbes or microorganisms affect health care, schools, and graduate schools in microbiology, products, animals, the environment, and the food molecular biology, biochemistry, and related supply. Many entry level microbiology jobs accept disciplines. The major provides intensive training in a Bachelor’s degree. You can advance from entry modern microbiology, including cutting-edge research level to higher-level positions with additional in genomics and genetic engineering. education. Skills: Need Bachelor’s Degree Need Further Education ♦ Critical thinking and problem solving Agriculturist Forensic scientist ♦ Work independently and on a team Biotechnologist Genetic engineer ♦ Bacteria & virus isolation and identification Brew master Immunologist ♦ Culture microorganisms Clinical lab tech Medical researcher ♦ Microscopy techniques Clinical trials asst. Medical tech Environ. scientist Parasistologist ♦ Operate scientific lab equipment Food microbiologist Pathologist ♦ Record and analyze data Geneticist Phlebotomist ♦ Oral and written communication Histotechnologist Physician Lab coordinator/tech Physician asst. Participate in Student & Professional Organizations: Microbiologist Professor Student (Sponsored by Bio. Sci. Dept): Mycologist Public health tech Biology Club Quality assurance Virologist Pre-Vet Club Research Asst/tech Tri-Beta Honors Society Technical sales Learn More About Microbiology careers: Biological Sciences Advisors: Langley A258 research experience program (REU, fellowship, co- www.biology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/advising op) on or off-campus. Check deadlines early. ♦ www.biology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/research ♦ Join the Bio. Newsletter for announcements ♦ www.asundergrad.pitt.edu/our/research ♦ Get advising info. before & after declaring major ♦ www.undergradresearch.pitt.edu/research- ♦ Learn about useful courses opportunities/ ♦ Inquire about research & internship opportunities ♦ www.fws.gov/northeast/youth/college.html Career Development: WPU 2nd Floor Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) www.careers.pitt.edu/ Being an undergraduate teaching assistant is a terrific way to share your knowledge, gain ♦ Meet with a Career Counselor (in person or virtual) confidence, and prepare yourself for leadership ♦ Take interest inventories and self-assessment tests roles. Many courses utilize UTAs, and you should ♦ Assistance w/ CVs, resumes, & cover letters contact the instructor directly. ♦ Internship placement (guaranteed) www.biology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/uta ♦ Employment search – via Future Links & Pitt ♦ Job shadowing program Places Microbiology Majors Have Interned: ♦ Career fairs GSPH –Dept. of Infectious Disease & Microbiology Carnegie Science Center What You Can Do Now: School of Medicine – Dept. of Pharmacology ♦ Gain research experience by teaming with a Biology Starkist Co. – Product Development (or related field) professor and conducting research Tutoring & Study Resources ♦ Get an internship at the CDC, NIH, hospital/clinic, Academic Resource Center (ARC) research lab, public health dept, forensics lab, Calculus & Statistics Labs medical school, or Bio. Engineering company Fish Bowl – Chemistry Dept. ♦ Get a part-time or summer job in a lab, industrial Learning Communities – various residence halls company, vet clinic, or research institute Math Assistance Center ♦ Study abroad to broaden cultural perspective and Writing Center gain international experience This handout provides a brief sample of skills, jobs, Ways To Acquire Skills in Microbiology: and tips for individuals pursuing a degree in this Internships major. It is not an exhaustive listing, but it gives Internships provide hands-on experience in an area that initial insight into a particular career field that interests you as a potential career. To find a biology would employ the skills and knowledge gained related internship speak with a Bio. Sci. advisor or a Career through this major. Contact the Biological Sciences Development advisor, and visit the links below. Advisors if you have any questions. ♦ www.biology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/research/outsid e-pitt ♦ www.biology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/research- internships/starting-intern Research Various opportunities exist for students to participate in research experiences outside of the classroom to develop an understanding of inquiry based research. Research can be performed on campus during the term for credit or no credit, or during the summer as part of an undergraduate .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Review Pili in Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Bacteria – Structure
    Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 66 (2009) 613 – 635 1420-682X/09/040613-23 Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences DOI 10.1007/s00018-008-8477-4 Birkhuser Verlag, Basel, 2008 Review Pili in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria – structure, assembly and their role in disease T. Profta,c,* and E. N. Bakerb,c a School of Medical Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142 (New Zealand), Fax: +64-9-373-7492, e-mail: [email protected] b School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland (New Zealand) c Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland (New Zealand) Received 08 August 2008; received after revision 24 September 2008; accepted 01 October 2008 Online First 27 October 2008 Abstract. Many bacterial species possess long fila- special form of bacterial cell movement, known as mentous structures known as pili or fimbriae extend- twitching motility. In contrast, the more recently ing from their surfaces. Despite the diversity in pilus discovered pili in Gram-positive bacteria are formed structure and biogenesis, pili in Gram-negative bac- by covalent polymerization of pilin subunits in a teria are typically formed by non-covalent homopo- process that requires a dedicated sortase enzyme. lymerization of major pilus subunit proteins (pilins), Minor pilins are added to the fiber and play a major which generates the pilus shaft. Additional pilins may role in host cell colonization. be added to the fiber and often function as host cell This review gives an overview of the structure, adhesins. Some pili are also involved in biofilm assembly and function of the best-characterized pili formation, phage transduction, DNA uptake and a of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
    [Show full text]
  • Do the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's Provisions Rescue Commercial Genetic Research After Association for Molecular Pathology, Et Al., V
    Health Law and Policy Brief Volume 5 | Issue 2 Article 5 10-16-2013 Do the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's Provisions Rescue Commercial Genetic Research after Association for Molecular Pathology, et al., v. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, et al. Thomas J. Kniffen American University Washington College of Law Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/hlp Part of the Health Law Commons Recommended Citation Kniffen, Thomas J. "Do the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's Provisions Rescue Commercial Genetic Research after Association for Molecular Pathology, et al., v. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, et al." Health Law & Policy Brief 5, no. 2 (2011): 32-38. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ American University Washington College of Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in Health Law and Policy Brief by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ American University Washington College of Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. PPACA's provisions and its potential to rescue In 4ssociation for Molecular Pathology et al. commercial genetic research if the Federal v. US. Patent and lrademark Office, et al., the Circuit's decision in Association for Molecular U.S. District Court for the Southern District Pathology is reversed by the Supreme Court. of New York invalidated a claim to patent genetically developed material on the basis L, Patecints ad eneicResearch, that "[t]he patents issued by the [United States AU.S Constitution Patent Office] are directed to a law of nature and were therefore improperly granted."1 The Congress is authorized by the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Revised Glossary for AQA GCSE Biology Student Book
    Biology Glossary amino acids small molecules from which proteins are A built abiotic factor physical or non-living conditions amylase a digestive enzyme (carbohydrase) that that affect the distribution of a population in an breaks down starch ecosystem, such as light, temperature, soil pH anaerobic respiration respiration without using absorption the process by which soluble products oxygen of digestion move into the blood from the small intestine antibacterial chemicals chemicals produced by plants as a defence mechanism; the amount abstinence method of contraception whereby the produced will increase if the plant is under attack couple refrains from intercourse, particularly when an egg might be in the oviduct antibiotic e.g. penicillin; medicines that work inside the body to kill bacterial pathogens accommodation ability of the eyes to change focus antibody protein normally present in the body acid rain rain water which is made more acidic by or produced in response to an antigen, which it pollutant gases neutralises, thus producing an immune response active site the place on an enzyme where the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) an increasing substrate molecule binds problem in the twenty-first century whereby active transport in active transport, cells use energy bacteria have evolved to develop resistance against to transport substances through cell membranes antibiotics due to their overuse against a concentration gradient antiretroviral drugs drugs used to treat HIV adaptation features that organisms have to help infections; they
    [Show full text]
  • General Microbiology (11:680:390) Syllabus
    COURSE SYLLABUS General Microbiology - 11:680:390 COURSE OVERVIEW General Microbiology 11:680:390 Fall, Spring, Summer Meeting times TBD Meeting Location Lecture: Sychronous Lecture Hall Cook/Douglas and Wright Labs Busch Meeting Location Lab: Food Science 209 CONTACT INFORMATION: Course Coordinator: Dr. Ines Rauschenbach Office Location: Lipman Hall, Room 215 Phone: 848-932-5635 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: By Appointment COURSE WEBSITE, RESOURCES AND MATERIALS: • Canvas • Text: Madigan MT, Bender KS, Buckley DH, Sattley WM, Stahl DA. 2020. Brock Biology of Microorganisms. 16th edition. Pearson, New York, NY. • Lab Manual o The lab manual (departmental publication) will be available for free through RUCore. • Electronic Notebook o We will be sending you a link to LabArchives. You must sign up before the start of your first lab. COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course offers a comprehensive study of the field of microbiology to science majors. The course will give detailed insights into five major themes: Structure and function of microbes (cellular structures, metabolism, and growth);,microbial genetics, microbial ecology, microbial diversity (prokaryotes, eukaryotes, viruses) and clinical microbiology (immunity, pathogenicity, epidemiology, control of microbes, and diseases). The course is taught in the synchronous lecture halls on Cook/Douglass and Busch campuses. Students are expected to participate in active learning activities and participate in class discussion to deepen their understanding of the microbial world and apply their knowledge to various concepts. LEARNING GOALS: Learning Goals for General Microbiology Lecture: After completion of the lecture component of the course, successful students will: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the structural similarities and differences among microbes and the unique structure/function relationships of prokaryotic cells.
    [Show full text]
  • Antony Van Leeuwenhoek, the Father of Microscope
    Turkish Journal of Biochemistry – Türk Biyokimya Dergisi 2016; 41(1): 58–62 Education Sector Letter to the Editor – 93585 Emine Elif Vatanoğlu-Lutz*, Ahmet Doğan Ataman Medicine in philately: Antony Van Leeuwenhoek, the father of microscope Pullardaki tıp: Antony Van Leeuwenhoek, mikroskobun kaşifi DOI 10.1515/tjb-2016-0010 only one lens to look at blood, insects and many other Received September 16, 2015; accepted December 1, 2015 objects. He was first to describe cells and bacteria, seen through his very small microscopes with, for his time, The origin of the word microscope comes from two Greek extremely good lenses (Figure 1) [3]. words, “uikpos,” small and “okottew,” view. It has been After van Leeuwenhoek’s contribution,there were big known for over 2000 years that glass bends light. In the steps in the world of microscopes. Several technical inno- 2nd century BC, Claudius Ptolemy described a stick appear- vations made microscopes better and easier to handle, ing to bend in a pool of water, and accurately recorded the which led to microscopy becoming more and more popular angles to within half a degree. He then very accurately among scientists. An important discovery was that lenses calculated the refraction constant of water. During the combining two types of glass could reduce the chromatic 1st century,around year 100, glass had been invented and effect, with its disturbing halos resulting from differences the Romans were looking through the glass and testing in refraction of light (Figure 2) [4]. it. They experimented with different shapes of clear glass In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister reduced the problem and one of their samples was thick in the middle and thin with spherical aberration by showing that several weak on the edges [1].
    [Show full text]
  • Human Anatomy (Biology 2) Lecture Notes Updated July 2017 Instructor
    Human Anatomy (Biology 2) Lecture Notes Updated July 2017 Instructor: Rebecca Bailey 1 Chapter 1 The Human Body: An Orientation • Terms - Anatomy: the study of body structure and relationships among structures - Physiology: the study of body function • Levels of Organization - Chemical level 1. atoms and molecules - Cells 1. the basic unit of all living things - Tissues 1. cells join together to perform a particular function - Organs 1. tissues join together to perform a particular function - Organ system 1. organs join together to perform a particular function - Organismal 1. the whole body • Organ Systems • Anatomical Position • Regional Names - Axial region 1. head 2. neck 3. trunk a. thorax b. abdomen c. pelvis d. perineum - Appendicular region 1. limbs • Directional Terms - Superior (above) vs. Inferior (below) - Anterior (toward the front) vs. Posterior (toward the back)(Dorsal vs. Ventral) - Medial (toward the midline) vs. Lateral (away from the midline) - Intermediate (between a more medial and a more lateral structure) - Proximal (closer to the point of origin) vs. Distal (farther from the point of origin) - Superficial (toward the surface) vs. Deep (away from the surface) • Planes and Sections divide the body or organ - Frontal or coronal 1. divides into anterior/posterior 2 - Sagittal 1. divides into right and left halves 2. includes midsagittal and parasagittal - Transverse or cross-sectional 1. divides into superior/inferior • Body Cavities - Dorsal 1. cranial cavity 2. vertebral cavity - Ventral 1. lined with serous membrane 2. viscera (organs) covered by serous membrane 3. thoracic cavity a. two pleural cavities contain the lungs b. pericardial cavity contains heart c. the cavities are defined by serous membrane d.
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection
    JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION AUTHOR INFORMATION PACK TABLE OF CONTENTS XXX . • Description p.1 • Impact Factor p.1 • Abstracting and Indexing p.2 • Editorial Board p.2 • Guide for Authors p.4 ISSN: 1684-1182 DESCRIPTION . Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection, launched in 1968, is the official bi-monthly publication of the Taiwan Society of Microbiology, the Chinese Society of Immunology, the Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan and the Taiwan Society of Parasitology. The journal is an open access journal, committed to disseminating information on the latest trends and advances in microbiology, immunology, infectious diseases and parasitology. Articles on clinical or laboratory investigations of relevance to microbiology, immunology, infectious diseases, parasitology and other related fields that are of interest to the medical profession are eligible for consideration. Article types considered include perspectives, review articles, original articles, brief reports and correspondence. The Editorial Board of the Journal comprises a dedicated team of local and international experts in the field of microbiology, immunology, infectious diseases and parasitology. All members of the Editorial Board actively guide and set the direction of the journal. With the aim of promoting effective and accurate scientific information, an expert panel of referees constitutes the backbone of the peer- review process in evaluating the quality and content of manuscripts submitted for publication. JMII is open access and indexed in SCIE, PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, AIDS & Cancer Reseach, CABI, BIOSIS Previews, Biological Abstracts, EBSCOhost, CancerLit, Reactions Weekly (online), Chemical Abstracts, HealthSTAR, Global Health, ProQuest. Benefits to authors We also provide many author benefits, such as free PDFs, a liberal copyright policy, special discounts on Elsevier publications and much more.
    [Show full text]
  • Role of the Microbiologist in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology J
    7/7/2014 Role of the Microbiologist in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology J. Kristie Johnson, Ph.D. Director, Microbiology Laboratory University of Maryland Medical Center Associate Professor, Department of Pathology University of Maryland School of Medicine Disclosures 1 7/7/2014 Objectives Understand the importance of the microbiology laboratory to infection control, the hospital epidemiologist, and the infectious disease physician. Understand the various techniques available to assist in an epidemiological investigation. Infectious Disease Diagnostics Diagnostic tests for infectious diseases have changed to: Detection of infectious agents/molecules/genes replacing growth and identification procedures. Turn around time minutes to hours replacing days to weeks Evolved through transitional research. Direct impact patient care Need hospital based Microbiology is now studies to validate their clinical effectiveness. part of the healthcare team 2 7/7/2014 Infection Prevention Programs Role in infections Monitor Understanding the epidemiology of HAIs Determine rates of infections Surveillance Prevent Intervene to prevent infections Education Control Outbreak investigation The clinical microbiology laboratory is essential to a comprehensive infection prevention program Role of the Microbiology Laboratory in Infection Control Specimen Collection Accurate Identification and Susceptibility Testing Laboratory Information Systems Rapid Diagnostic Testing Reporting of Laboratory Data Outbreak Recognition and Investigations-Molecular
    [Show full text]
  • Laboratory Exercises in Microbiology: Discovering the Unseen World Through Hands-On Investigation
    City University of New York (CUNY) CUNY Academic Works Open Educational Resources Queensborough Community College 2016 Laboratory Exercises in Microbiology: Discovering the Unseen World Through Hands-On Investigation Joan Petersen CUNY Queensborough Community College Susan McLaughlin CUNY Queensborough Community College How does access to this work benefit ou?y Let us know! More information about this work at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/qb_oers/16 Discover additional works at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu This work is made publicly available by the City University of New York (CUNY). Contact: [email protected] Laboratory Exercises in Microbiology: Discovering the Unseen World through Hands-On Investigation By Dr. Susan McLaughlin & Dr. Joan Petersen Queensborough Community College Laboratory Exercises in Microbiology: Discovering the Unseen World through Hands-On Investigation Table of Contents Preface………………………………………………………………………………………i Acknowledgments…………………………………………………………………………..ii Microbiology Lab Safety Instructions…………………………………………………...... iii Lab 1. Introduction to Microscopy and Diversity of Cell Types……………………......... 1 Lab 2. Introduction to Aseptic Techniques and Growth Media………………………...... 19 Lab 3. Preparation of Bacterial Smears and Introduction to Staining…………………...... 37 Lab 4. Acid fast and Endospore Staining……………………………………………......... 49 Lab 5. Metabolic Activities of Bacteria…………………………………………….…....... 59 Lab 6. Dichotomous Keys……………………………………………………………......... 77 Lab 7. The Effect of Physical Factors on Microbial Growth……………………………... 85 Lab 8. Chemical Control of Microbial Growth—Disinfectants and Antibiotics…………. 99 Lab 9. The Microbiology of Milk and Food………………………………………………. 111 Lab 10. The Eukaryotes………………………………………………………………........ 123 Lab 11. Clinical Microbiology I; Anaerobic pathogens; Vectors of Infectious Disease….. 141 Lab 12. Clinical Microbiology II—Immunology and the Biolog System………………… 153 Lab 13. Putting it all Together: Case Studies in Microbiology…………………………… 163 Appendix I.
    [Show full text]
  • Biofilms and Biodiversity: an Interactive Exploration of Aquatic
    Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 334–338 2000 Society for Industrial Microbiology 1367-5435/00 $15.00 www.nature.com/jim Biofilms and biodiversity: an interactive exploration of aquatic microbial biotechnology and ecology JA Frederick1, D Jacobs2 and WR Jones3 1Maryland Sea Grant Extension Program, Columbus Center, 701 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202; 2Maryland Sea Grant, 0112 Skinner Hall, College Park, MD 20742; 3Center of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, 701 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA The study of biofilms provides a unique educational opportunity to examine ecosystems, biodiversity and appli- cations of environmental biotechnology. There are many variables that could be studied for measuring the interac- tions between bacterial biofilms and invertebrate biodiversity as a method for assessing the health of aquatic eco- systems. These interactions also lend themselves to an easily replicated model system which can be used to reach a wide audience with an educational opportunity for students as well as a professional development opportunity for teachers. At the foundation of the research are invaluable basic microbiology skills: strain collection, isolation, cultivation and characterization. Through the additional process of characterizing, identifying and enumerating invertebrate organisms that attach to bacterial biofilms in aquatic ecosystems, there evolved a multidisciplinary class laboratory activity that has found broad application. This activity is captivating not only to undergraduate microbiology students but to middle and high school students and their teachers. The demand for information about the activity has led to the development of a truly interactive web-based lesson, which in turn has resulted in additional inquiries and further refinement of the lesson as an undergraduate independent research course.
    [Show full text]
  • Curriculum in Microbiology
    CURRICULUM IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES YEAR: 2009/2010 YEAR ENTERED SLU: NAME: W# MAJOR HOURS (41) C or Better* MATHEMATICS (8-9) SOCIAL SCIENCES (6) Core Requirements (21 hrs) MATH 161 3 (Anth,Econ,Geog,Gov,Psyc,Poli,Soc) GBIO 151 3 (ACT< 21 MATH 155 – 5hrs) ________________3_________ BIOL 152 1 MATH 162 3 ________________3_________ GBIO 153 3 MATH 163 3 BIOL 154 1 MIC 205 3 or MATH 165 and 200 MICL 207 1 MATH 165 3 GBIO 200 3 MATH 200 5 GBIO 312 3 PHYSICS (8) GBIO 241 _____ 1______ PHYS 191 3 GBIO 341______1______ PLAB 193 1 GBIO 441** 1 ENGLISH (12) PHYS 192 3 ENGL 101 PLAB 194 1 Upper-level Courses (20 hrs) page 2 or 121H 3 ENGL 102 (300/400) or 122H 3 ______ ENGL 230 or 231 or 232 (300/400) 3 ______ ENGL 322 3 (300/400) ______ (300/400) ______ OTHER (10-13) (300/400) FOR. LANGUAGES (12) ART ELECTIVE (Mus,Art,Dnc,Thea) 101 3 3 CHEMISTRY (16) 102 3 LS 102 1 CHEM 121 3 201 3 COMM211 3 CLAB 123 1 202 3 HIST 3 CHEM 122 3 SE 101 0/3 CLAB 124 1 OTHER ELECTIVES (8) CHEM 265 or 261 ___3____ _____________________ CLAB 267 or 263 ___1_____ CHEM 266 or 281 ___3 _____________________ CLAB 268 or 283 ___1_______ TOTAL HOURS 121-125 *Grade of “C” or better in all Biology courses is required in order for the course to count towards the B.S. degree in Biological Sciences **GBIO 441 fulfills requirement for computer literacy ADDITIONAL COURSES: AVERAGES HA HE QP Average CUM: (Adj) MAJOR (Adj) SLU: (Adj) CURRICULUM in BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES I.
    [Show full text]
  • History and Scope of Microbiology the Story of Invisible Organisms
    A study material for M.Sc. Biochemistry (Semester: IV) Students on the topic (EC-1; Unit I) History and Scope of Microbiology The story of invisible organisms Dr. Reena Mohanka Professor & Head Department of Biochemistry Patna University Mob. No.:- +91-9334088879 E. Mail: [email protected] MICROBIOLOGY 1. WHAT IS A MICROBIOLOGY? Micro means very small and biology is the study of living things, so microbiology is the study of very small living things normally too small that are usually unable to be viewed with the naked eye. Need a microscope to see them Virus - 10 →1000 nanometers Bacteria - 0.1 → 5 micrometers (Human eye ) can see 0.1 mm to 1 mm Microbiology has become an umbrella term that encompasses many sub disciplines or fields of study. These include: - Bacteriology: The study of bacteria - Mycology: Fungi - Protozoology: Protozoa - Phycology: Algae - Parasitology: Parasites - Virology: Viruses WHAT IS THE NEED TO STUDY MICROBIOLOGY • Genetic engineering • Recycling sewage • Bioremediation: use microbes to remove toxins (oil spills) • Use of microbes to control crop pests • Maintain balance of environment (microbial ecology) • Basis of food chain • Nitrogen fixation • Manufacture of food and drink • Photosynthesis: Microbes are involved in photosynthesis and accounts for >50% of earth’s oxygen History of Microbiology Anton van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) (Dutch Scientist) • The credit of discovery of microbial world goes to Anton van Leeuwenhoek. He made careful observations of microscopic organisms, which he called animalcules (1670s). • Antoni van Leeuwenhoek described live microorganisms that he observed in teeth scrapings and rain water. • Major contributions to the development of microbiology was the invention of the microscope (50-300X magnification) by Anton von Leuwenhoek and the implementation of the scientific method.
    [Show full text]