10 Questions
The discovery of numerous new invertebrate species led to a significant decrease in the estimated number of bacteria species.
False
The enzyme isolated from aquaticus in 1976 is heat-labile.
False
Cyanobacteria were responsible for reducing the oxygen levels in the Earth's atmosphere 2.46 billion years ago.
False
Microorganisms make up only 10% of the Earth's biomass.
False
The evolution of complex life on Earth would not have been possible without the influence of Cyanobacteria.
True
The Black Death was solely responsible for the death of over 50 million people in Europe during the 1300s.
False
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms that are only visible with the aid of a microscope.
False
The bacterium Thermus aquaticus was first isolated from hot springs in the Amazon rainforest in 1969.
False
The Taq polymerase was extracted from the mesophilic bacteria Thermus aquaticus.
False
Microorganisms are found only in living organisms and not in the environment.
False
Study Notes
Microorganisms and Microbiology
- Microorganisms have been present before all multicellular life and influence the evolution and survival of all life forms, as well as the structure of the planet and biosphere.
Importance of Microbiology
- The origin of microbiology is medical, driven by the need to understand and combat diseases that were causing widespread death.
- Microbiology is the study of microorganisms too small to be seen with the unaided eye, including who they are, how they work, and what they do.
Historical Impact on Human Health
- The Black Death, caused by Yersinia pestis, ravaged Europe in the 1300s, killing an estimated 75-200 million people.
- The plague was transmitted through fleas, which were carried by rats, and could be spread through air droplets.
- The disease was identified in 1894 and is a zoonotic pathogenic bacteria that can cause sepsis.
Microbiology Beyond Disease
- Microbiology is not just the study of intersections between humans and disease.
- Almost half of all children under the age of 10 died of infectious diseases prior to the last century, but less than 1% of known microorganisms can cause disease.
Ubiquity of Microorganisms
- Microorganisms exist everywhere, including in and on humans, and can thrive in even the most inhospitable environments.
- Thermus aquaticus, a hot spring bacterium, was isolated from Yellowstone National Park in 1969 and led to the discovery of Taq polymerase.
Taq Polymerase and PCR
- Taq polymerase is a heat-stable DNA polymerase extracted from T. aquaticus in 1976.
- It is a key enzyme in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) diagnostic test, allowing for the creation of millions of copies of DNA.
Microbial Number and Diversity
- Microorganisms outnumber human cells in the body and constitute about 60% of the Earth's biomass.
- Bacteria are the most dominant life form on Earth, with estimates suggesting they make up 78% of all life.
Evolving Biodiversity Estimates
- Estimates of biodiversity have changed over time, with bacteria and other microbial groups making up a significant portion of all life on Earth.
Microorganisms and Life on Earth
- Microorganisms critically influence all life, having been present before all multicellular life.
- They influence the evolution and survival of all life forms, as well as the structure of the planet and biosphere.
Test your knowledge of microorganisms, their role in evolution and survival, and the importance of microbiology in understanding diseases.
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