Microbiology Branches and Microorganism Characteristics

Branches of Microbiology

• Bacteriology: study of bacteria
• Virology: study of viruses
• Mycology: study of fungi
• Parasitology: study of parasites
• Microbial ecology: study of interactions between microorganisms and their environment

Microorganism Characteristics

• Microscopic size: too small to be seen with the naked eye
• Unicellular: single-celled organisms
• Eukaryotic or prokaryotic: cells with or without a true nucleus
• Autotrophic or heterotrophic: ability to produce own food or require external food sources

Microbial Growth and Reproduction

• Binary fission: process of cell division
• Spore formation: dormant, resistant structures for survival
• Colonial growth: growth of microorganisms in a group
• Generation time: time required for a population to double

Microbial Metabolism

• Aerobic: requires oxygen for growth
• Anaerobic: does not require oxygen for growth
• Fermentation: process of energy production in absence of oxygen
• Respiration: process of energy production in presence of oxygen

Microbial Interactions

• Symbiosis: close, long-term relationships between different species
• Mutualism: both species benefit from interaction
• Commensalism: one species benefits, the other is unaffected
• Parasitism: one species benefits, the other is harmed

Microbial Control and Applications

• Sterilization: complete elimination of microorganisms
• Disinfection: reduction of microorganisms
• Antimicrobial agents: substances that inhibit or kill microorganisms
• Vaccines: preparations that stimulate immune responses
• Microbial biotechnology: use of microorganisms for industrial, medical, and environmental applications

Branches of Microbiology

• Study of bacteria is known as Bacteriology
• Virology is the study of viruses
• Mycology is the study of fungi
• Parasitology is the study of parasites
• Microbial ecology is the study of interactions between microorganisms and their environment

Microorganism Characteristics

• Microorganisms are microscopic in size, too small to be seen with the naked eye
• Microorganisms are unicellular, meaning they are single-celled organisms
• Microorganisms can be either eukaryotic (with a true nucleus) or prokaryotic (without a true nucleus)
• Microorganisms can be either autotrophic (producing their own food) or heterotrophic (requiring external food sources)

Microbial Growth and Reproduction

• Binary fission is the process of cell division in microorganisms
• Spore formation is a mechanism for microorganisms to survive in dormant, resistant structures
• Microorganisms can grow in colonies, a group of microorganisms
• Generation time is the time required for a population of microorganisms to double

Microbial Metabolism

• Aerobic microorganisms require oxygen for growth
• Anaerobic microorganisms do not require oxygen for growth
• Fermentation is a process of energy production in microorganisms in the absence of oxygen
• Respiration is a process of energy production in microorganisms in the presence of oxygen

Microbial Interactions

• Symbiosis is a close, long-term relationship between different species
• Mutualism is a type of symbiosis where both species benefit from the interaction
• Commensalism is a type of symbiosis where one species benefits, and the other is unaffected
• Parasitism is a type of symbiosis where one species benefits, and the other is harmed

Microbial Control and Applications

• Sterilization is the complete elimination of microorganisms
• Disinfection is the reduction of microorganisms
• Antimicrobial agents are substances that inhibit or kill microorganisms
• Vaccines are preparations that stimulate immune responses
• Microbial biotechnology is the use of microorganisms for industrial, medical, and environmental applications

This quiz covers the different branches of microbiology, including bacteriology, virology, mycology, and parasitology, as well as the characteristics of microorganisms such as their microscopic size, unicellular structure, and nutrition modes.