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Basic Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of organisms and agents too small to be seen by the naked eye (<1mm)
Microorganisms are important for global ecosystems and human health
Five major groups of microorganisms/agents are: bacteria, algae, fungi, viruses, and protozoa
Spontaneous generation (life from non-living matter) was once believed, but disproven by scientists like Louis Pasteur
Germ theory of disease (diseases caused by specific agents, not just miasma) was supported by scientists such as Ignaz Semmelweis and Joseph Lister.
Robert Koch established postulates to establish links between organisms and diseases
Koch's work led to the development of solid culture media, aseptic technique, pure culture maintenance, and Petri plates.
Vaccines were developed to protect individuals from diseases.
Edward Jenner is considered the "Father of Immunology," and his work using vaccination procedures led to the elimination of smallpox..

Methods in Microbiology
Microscopy is used to view specimens not visible to the naked eye.
Various types of microscopes exist, including simple and compound light microscopes, and electron microscopes (TEM and SEM). Light microsopes use light waves and mirrors. Electron microscopes use electron beams and magnetic fields for high magnification and resolution.
Bright Field (BF), Phase Contrast (PC), and Fluorescence (FL) microscopy are types used in light microscopy.
Specialized stains are required for viewing using electron microscopes.
Microscopy is used for viewing organisms in their natural state, for stained preparations with good contrast and preservation of the specimen.

Isolation and Cultivation of Microorganisms

Pure culture (axenic cultures) contain a single species of microorganism.
Cultivation involves increasing microbial populations through providing the right nutrition and physical requirements for the microbe.
Different cultures have different mediums for solidifying the medium (solid, semi-solid, and liquid).
A variety of types of mediums are available to meet the cultivation needs of specific species.
Different types of species have different needs.
Media are prepared based on physical state and chemical composition.

Isolation and Cultivation of Microorganisms
Pure culture (axenic cultures) contain a single species of microorganism.
Cultivation involves increasing microbial populations through providing the right nutrition and physical requirements for the microbe.

Control and Destruction of Microorganisms

Methods exist to destroy or control microorganisms.
Sterilization removes all viable organisms while disinfection kills, inhibits, or removes disease-causing microorganisms but does not sterilize.
Physical methods like heat (moist heat and dry heat), low temperature, filtration, desiccation, and radiation are used.
Chemical agents (phenols, alcohols, halogens, heavy metals, surface-active agents, and oxidizing agents) can also control microorganisms.
Antiseptics can be used on living tissues.

Chemical Agents

Chemical agents can kill or inhibit microbial growth, based on the type of agent and the specific microbe.
Examples include phenols, alcohols, halogens, heavy metals, surface-active agents, and oxidizing agents.

Classification of Microorganisms
Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms; a species is a collection of strains that share many stable properties.
A strain is a population of organisms descended from a pure culture.
Microorganisms are classified by various traits, including their morphology, metabolism, and genetic characteristics

Characteristics Used in Taxonomy
Microorganisms are classified through various methods, such as their cultural requirements, morphologic traits, metabolic traits, chemical composition, and antigenic characteristics.
Different groups have different optimal conditions which allow for selective isolation

Survey of Microorganisms: Fungi
Fungi include a large group of eukaryotic microorganisms, exhibiting cellular structure, with rigid cell walls and are chemoheterotrophs; they are important to the ecosystem in decomposition processes.
There are many types of organisms that function as saprophytes, which are types that consume dead organic material.
Reproduction happens through asexual means, involving fragmentation, fission, budding, and the production of spores.

Algae
Algae are eukaryotic microorganisms that can photosynthesize.
They come in unicellular, multicellular, and colonial forms.
They have different physical structures and pigmentations.
They photosynthesize using chlorophyll and other pigments.
Various habitats are available

Protozoa
Protozoa are eukaryotic, unicellular, heterotrophic microorganisms that move using different means.
They obtain nutrients through phagocytosis or pinocytosis.
Some protozoa are symbiotic, parasitic.

Bacterial Genetics
Microbiology considers various ways organisms reproduce, including horizontal and vertical transfers, to ensure the inheritance of genetic information.
Bacteria can undergo genetic recombination via conjugation, transformation, and transduction.
Mutation is a heritable change in DNA sequence.
Natural (spontaneous) and induced mutations affect the organism's phenotype.

Measurement of Microbial Growth
Methods used to measure microbial growth include direct and indirect counts
Methods involve counting and determining the mass of the microbial cells.

Basic Microbiology
The process of measuring microorganisms is important, as is using methods to understand the different types of organisms through their morphology, physiology, and genetics.