Microbiology

Field of Study

• Microbiology belongs to the biological sciences, focusing on the study of microorganisms.

Living Microbes

• Living microbes are known as "microorganisms" or "microbes."

Habitats of Microorganisms

• Microorganisms can be found in diverse environments including soil, water, air, and within or on other living organisms.

Non-Living Microbes

• Non-living microbes are referred to as "acellular entities," which include viruses and prions.

Pathogenic Microorganisms

• Disease-causing microorganisms are known as "pathogens," which can lead to infections and diseases in hosts.

Acellular Microbe Example

• An example of an acellular microbe is a virus, which lacks cellular structure and cannot reproduce independently.

Main Focus of Microbiology

• The main focus of microbiology includes understanding the structure, function, genetics, and interactions of microorganisms.

Non-Living Microbe Example

• Non-living microbes do not exhibit characteristics of life; thus, viruses are typically categorized as non-living entities.

Percentage of Disease-Causing Microorganisms

• Approximately 1% of known microorganisms are recognized as disease-causing pathogens.

Microorganism Distribution

• Microorganisms are omnipresent, thriving in extreme conditions and various ecosystems throughout the Earth.