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Questions and Answers
What does the term 'bios' in biology refer to?
What percentage of microorganisms are disease-causing pathogens?
Who is credited with disproving spontaneous generation?
What is the term for the study of very small living organisms?
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What is the term for the organisms that are present naturally in a particular environment?
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What is the theory that states diseases are transmitted by microbes?
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Who developed pure culture techniques?
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What is the term for the complete removal of all life forms, including endospores?
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What is the main focus of Medical Microbiology?
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What are the experimental steps used to show that a specific organism causes a specific disease?
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Who isolated bacteria as causative agents for Anthrax?
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What is the focus of Environmental Microbiology?
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Study Notes
Biology of Microbial Cell
- Biology refers to the study of living organisms, while microbiology studies very small microorganisms or microbes that require a microscope.
Microorganisms (MOs)
- Include bacteria, algae, protozoa, fungi, and viruses
- Viruses are infectious agents or particles
- 3% of microbes are pathogens (disease-causing), while 97% are non-pathogenic
- 87% of non-pathogens are beneficial and form indigenous microflora or microbiota
- Microorganisms are ubiquitous (found everywhere)
History of Microbiology
- Antony Van Leeuwenhock discovered "animalcules" (microorganisms) in 1676
- Spontaneous Generation theory believed living organisms arise from decomposing matter
- Contrasted with Biogenesis, which states life arises from pre-existing life
Contributions of Louis Pasteur
- Showed microbes cause fermentation and spoilage
- Disproved Spontaneous Generation
- Developed aseptic techniques (free from pathogenic microorganisms)
Germ Theory of Disease
- Diseases are transmitted by microbes from a diseased to a healthy person
- Examples: Diphtheria (Corynebacterium diphtheriae) and Tetanus (Clostridium tetani)
Contributions of Robert Koch
- Developed solid growth media
- Introduced pure culture techniques
- Developed simple stain technique
- Developed aseptic lab techniques
- Isolated bacteria as causative agents for Anthrax
Koch's Postulates
- Series of experimental steps to show a specific organism causes a specific disease
Spores and Sterilization
- Ferdinand Cohn discovered and described endospores
- Term "sterile" means complete removal of all life forms, including endospores
Branches of Microbiology
- Basic Microbiology: classifications, metabolism, nutrition, growth, and requirements
- Medical Microbiology: Human pathogens
- Industrial Microbiology: Microorganisms used to obtain industrial products
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology: Production of drugs, enzymes, solvents, and other products
- Agricultural Microbiology: Microorganisms as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents of plant pathogens
- Environmental Microbiology (Microbial Ecology): Microorganisms in pollution, biodegradation, and environmental processes
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Description
Learn about microbiology, the study of microorganisms, including bacteria, algae, protozoa, fungi, and viruses, and their characteristics, benefits, and roles in the environment and human health.
