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Questions and Answers
What is the defining characteristic of fungi?
Devoid of chlorophyll
How are viruses different from other microbial groups?
Non-cellular parasites or pathogens
Where do microorganisms occur in nature and why are they important?
Everywhere in nature; involved in beneficial and detrimental activities
Study Notes
Microbiology
- Microbiology is the study of living organisms of microscopic size, including bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa, and viruses.
Characteristics of Microorganisms
- Most microorganisms are unicellular, meaning all life processes are performed by a single cell.
- All living cells contain protoplasm, a colloidal organic complex consisting of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
Major Microbial Groups
Procaryotic Protists
- Bacteria: unicellular, procaryotic, and multiply by binary fission.
- Cyanobacteria (Blue Green Algae): also procaryotic protists.
Practical Significance of Procaryotic Protists
- Cause diseases
- Involved in natural cycling and soil fertility
- Spoil food
- Used in food production, etc.
Eucaryotic Protists
Algae
- Relatively simple organisms
- May be unicellular or aggregations of similar cells with little or no differentiation
- Some algae, like large brown algae, have complex structures with specialized cell types for particular functions.
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Description
Test your knowledge of microbiology basics, including the study of microscopic living organisms, their form, structure, reproduction, and effects on human beings and other organisms.
