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Questions and Answers
Which of the following microorganisms is characterized by lacking peptidoglycan in their cell walls?
Which of the following microorganisms is characterized by lacking peptidoglycan in their cell walls?
- Protozoa
- Fungi
- Archaea (correct)
- Bacteria
What is the distinguishing factor of viruses compared to other microbial groups?
What is the distinguishing factor of viruses compared to other microbial groups?
- Multicellularity
- Photosynthetic capability
- Nucleus with genetic material
- Acellular nature (correct)
Which domain does not strictly contain microorganisms?
Which domain does not strictly contain microorganisms?
- Bacteria
- Eukarya
- Animalia (correct)
- Archaea
Among the listed microorganisms, which one is photosynthetic?
Among the listed microorganisms, which one is photosynthetic?
What distinguishes protozoa from other microbes in terms of movement?
What distinguishes protozoa from other microbes in terms of movement?
Which microbial group is characterized by being unicellular eukaryotic microbes?
Which microbial group is characterized by being unicellular eukaryotic microbes?
What term describes a complex aggregation of microbes that attach to each other and/or a solid surface?
What term describes a complex aggregation of microbes that attach to each other and/or a solid surface?
Which microorganism is commonly used in insect pest control due to its properties?
Which microorganism is commonly used in insect pest control due to its properties?
What is the term used to describe a disease in which pathogens invade a susceptible host?
What is the term used to describe a disease in which pathogens invade a susceptible host?
What is the primary function of some normal microbiota in the human body?
What is the primary function of some normal microbiota in the human body?
Which term is used to describe diseases that have recently emerged and are on the rise?
Which term is used to describe diseases that have recently emerged and are on the rise?
Where do microorganisms in biofilms commonly attach in nature?
Where do microorganisms in biofilms commonly attach in nature?
Who devised a system of classification based on the cellular organization of organisms in 1978?
Who devised a system of classification based on the cellular organization of organisms in 1978?
Which of the following is a characteristic of Archaea?
Which of the following is a characteristic of Archaea?
Who is credited with the discovery of 'cells' as the smallest structural units of life?
Who is credited with the discovery of 'cells' as the smallest structural units of life?
What term did Anton van Leeuwenhoek use to describe the microorganisms he saw through his microscopes?
What term did Anton van Leeuwenhoek use to describe the microorganisms he saw through his microscopes?
Which group do flatworms and roundworms collectively belong to?
Which group do flatworms and roundworms collectively belong to?
What is the major difference between Bacteria and Archaea in terms of cell walls?
What is the major difference between Bacteria and Archaea in terms of cell walls?
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Study Notes
What is Microbiology?
- Study of the biology of microscopic organisms, such as viruses, bacteria, algae, fungi, protozoa, etc.
- Involved in the origin and evolution of life
Microbes or Microorganisms
- Living things too small to be seen with the unaided eye
- Important in maintaining Earth's ecological balance
- Some microorganisms live in humans and other animals, necessary for good health
- Some microorganisms are used to produce foods and chemicals
- Some microorganisms cause disease
Types of Microorganisms
- Bacteria: relatively simple, single-celled (unicellular) organisms
- Archaea: prokaryotic cells, but if they have cell walls, the walls lack peptidoglycan
- Fungi: eukaryote, organisms with a distinct nucleus containing DNA
- Protozoa: unicellular eukaryotic microbes, move by pseudopods, flagella, or cilia
- Algae: photosynthetic eukaryotes with a wide variety of shapes and reproductive forms
- Viruses: very small, acellular, seen only with an electron microscope
- Multicellular animal parasites: not strictly microorganisms, but of medical importance
Microbes and Human Disease
- Normal microbiota (flora) do not harm humans, and some even benefit us
- Normal microbiota protect us against disease by preventing harmful microbes overgrowth
- Several types of bacteria found on the human tongue surface as part of the normal microbiota
Biofilms
- Microorganisms exist as single cells or attach to each other and/or solid surfaces, forming a complex aggregation of microbes
- Biofilm formation on a catheter
Infectious Diseases
- Disease caused by pathogen invasion of a susceptible host
- Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are increasing, with recent outbreaks and new diseases
Classification of Microorganisms
- Carl Woese's system of classification (1978) groups organisms into three domains:
- Bacteria: cell walls contain peptidoglycan
- Archaea: cell walls lack peptidoglycan
- Eukarya: includes protists, fungi, plants, and animals
History of Microbiology
- Robert Hooke discovered cells in 1665, observing a thin slice of cork through a microscope
- Anton van Leeuwenhoek observed live microorganisms through his microscopes, writing about "animalcules" between 1673 and 1723
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