Introduction to Microbiology

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Questions and Answers

Which microorganism is typically non-cellular and requires a host cell for reproduction?

Fungi

Algae

Virus (correct)

Bacteria

What process do bacteria primarily use to reproduce?

Binary fission (correct)

Budding

Spore formation

Mitosis

Which characteristic is true for fungi?

They are exclusively unicellular.

They are prokaryotic organisms.

They have chlorophyll and perform photosynthesis.

They reproduce using spores. (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a branch of microbiology?

Zoology Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of protozoa?

They are unicellular and microscopic. Signup and view all the answers

Which organism is known for producing molecular oxygen as a byproduct?

Algae Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct term for the study of viruses?

Virology Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about eukaryotic microorganisms is true?

They have complex cellular structures. Signup and view all the answers

What temperature and duration did Pasteur suggest for effectively destroying undesirable organisms?

62.8°C for 30 minutes Signup and view all the answers

Which term was coined by Louis Pasteur?

Microbiology Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT part of Koch's Postulates?

The microbe can be created artificially in a lab setting. Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with discovering the tuberculosis bacterium in 1905?

Robert Koch Signup and view all the answers

Who introduced the binomial system of scientific nomenclature?

Linnaeus Signup and view all the answers

What significant development did Fanne Eilshemius Hesse introduce?

The use of agar in culture media Signup and view all the answers

What is the incorrect format for scientific names?

E.Coli Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is used to view live specimens?

Compound Light Microscope Signup and view all the answers

Which vaccine did Pasteur develop related to anthrax?

A live attenuated vaccine Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Watson and Crick identify the structure of DNA?

1962 Signup and view all the answers

Which era is marked by the discovery of microorganisms?

Discovery era Signup and view all the answers

Which discovery is attributed to Alexander Flemming in 1945?

Penicillin from Penicillium notatum Signup and view all the answers

Who demonstrated that maggots do not arise from decaying meat when it is covered?

Francesco Redi Signup and view all the answers

What was introduced by Louis Pasteur to prevent spoilage?

Pasteurization Signup and view all the answers

What did Lazzaro Spallanzani demonstrate about boiled broth?

It doesn't support life without air Signup and view all the answers

What role do culture media, such as agar, serve in microbiology?

They act as food for microbes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Microbial World

Microorganism: A small organism too tiny to see with the naked eye.
Discovered by Antony van Leeuwenhoek in 1675 using a self-designed microscope.
Term "Microbe" first used in 1878 by Sedillot.

Branches of Microbiology

Bacteriology: Study of bacteria
Mycology: Study of fungi and yeast
Virology: Study of viruses
Parasitology: Study of parasitic protozoans and helminths
Immunology: Study of immune response to disease agents and allergens

Diversity of Microorganisms

Bacteria: Prokaryotic, single-celled, reproduce by binary fission. Example: Escherichia coli
Fungi: Eukaryotic, non-vascular, non-motile, heterotrophic, may be unicellular or filamentous. Reproduce by spores. Lack chlorophyll.
Algae: Eukaryotic, have cellulose cell walls, photosynthetic, produce oxygen and organic compounds, part of the food chain.
Protozoa: Eukaryotic, unicellular, microscopic, motile using pseudopod, cilia, or flagella.
Virus: Non-cellular, contain capsid (protein coat), nucleic acid core (DNA or RNA), require a host cell to reproduce.

Importance of Microorganisms

Used in studying molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics.
Used in vaccine development.
Used in antibiotic production.
Used in production of biological enzymes (e.g., insulin).
Used in food production (e.g., beer, wine, cheese, yogurt)
Maintain soil fertility and digestion in animals and humans.
Help degrade toxic waste materials.

Binomial System of Scientific Nomenclature

Introduced by Linnaeus.
Uses genus and species epithet to name organisms.
Genus is capitalized, species is lowercase.
Names are italicized or underlined.
Example: Staphylococcus aureus - describes clustered cell arrangement and golden-yellow color.
Example: Escherichia coli - honors discoverer Theodor Escherich and describes habitat (colon).

Tools in Microbiology

Compound Light Microscope: Views living specimens.
Electron Microscope: Views non-living specimens.
Incubator: Keeps microbes at optimal temperature for growth.
Staining Dyes: Enhance visibility of structures.
Microbial Culture: Growing microbes in controlled conditions.
Petri Dish: Container for microbiological cultures.
Culture Media: Provides food for microbes (e.g., agar, nutrient broths).
Autoclave: Sterilizes materials.

History/Discovery of Microorganisms: Four Eras

Discovery Era

Aristotle (384-322 BC) believed in spontaneous generation - living organisms arising from non-living matter.
Antony van Leeuwenhoek (1675) discovered microorganisms through his self-designed microscope.

Transition Era

Francesco Redi (1697): Disproved spontaneous generation by showing maggots would not arise from covered decaying meat.
John Needham (1781): Supported spontaneous generation theory.
Lazzaro Spallanzani (1799): Demonstrated air carries germs, boiled broth wouldn't produce life.

Golden Era

Louis Pasteur: Showed microorganisms cause fermentation, developed pasteurization to prevent spoilage.
Pasteur is considered the Father of Medical Microbiology.
Pasteur developed vaccines for anthrax and rabies.
Pasteur coined terms "microbiology", "aerobic", and "anaerobic".
Pasteur disproved spontaneous generation.

Koch's Postulates

Robert Koch (1876): Provided experimental proof that a bacterium causes anthrax.
Four postulates to establish a causal relationship between a microorganism and a disease:
- Microorganism present in every case of the disease.
- Microorganism can be isolated in pure culture.
- Inoculation of pure culture into a healthy animal causes the same disease.
- Microorganism can be re-isolated from the experimentally infected animal.

Modern Era (Nobel Laureates Years)

1901: Von Behring discovered diphtheria antitoxin.
1902: Ronald Ross discovered the cause of malaria.
1905: Robert Koch identified the tuberculosis bacterium.
1908: Metchnikoff discovered phagocytosis.
1945: Flemming discovered penicillin.
1962: Watson and Crick identified DNA structure.
1968: Holley and Khorana deciphered the genetic code.
1997: Pruisne identified prions.
2002: Brenner and Hervitz studied genetic regulation of organ development and cell death.

Other Discoveries

Fanne Eilshemius Hesse (1850–1934): Proposed using agar in culture media.
Richard Petri (1887): Developed the petri dish for cultivating microbes on solid media.
Edward Jenner (1749–1823): Pioneered smallpox vaccination.
Alexander Flemming (1945): Discovered penicillin from Penicillium notatum, which kills bacteria.
Paul Erlich (1920): Discovered arsenic treatment for syphilis. Studied toxins, antitoxins, and laid the foundation for biological standardization.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of microorganisms in this quiz on microbiology. Learn about the various branches such as bacteriology, mycology, and virology, along with the diversity of microbes including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Test your knowledge about the key concepts and historical discoveries in this essential biological field.