Microbiology Lecture 1 Quiz

Microbiology Lecture 1

• Lecture title: MICR20010 Lecture 1, Microbiology
• Lecturer: Dr. Jennifer Mitchell
• Department: School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science
• Email: [email protected]

Practicals

• Practicals are face-to-face
• Check your lab rotation and seat number on Brightspace
• View the introductory lecture on Brightspace
• Print and bring the lab manual and a marker

Assessments

• Practical accounts are worth 30%
• Practical reports (2): 15% (submitted online after practicals)
• Practical exam: 15% (date TBC)
• Final MCQ exam: 70% (end of term)

Remember

• Check your practical assignment on Brightspace matches your timetable
• Lab manual and pre-practical talk for practical 1 will be on Brightspace before the lab
• Do not leave the lab without asking all questions about the write-up.
• Questions about the lab write-up should be addressed inside the lab
• Contact the module coordinator ([email protected]) for questions

Learning Outcomes

• Define Microbiology
• Different types of microbes
• Role and application of microbes
• Importance of microbiology in: Agriculture, Food industry, Animal and plant health
• Role of Microbiologists
• History of Microbiology

What is Microbiology?

• The study of microscopic organisms

Microbes

• Tiny single-cell organisms
• Oldest form of life on Earth (>3.5 billion years old)
• Existed before dinosaurs
• Incredible biodiversity
• Essential for life (e.g., eating and breathing)
• Vital for understanding the past and future of our planet

Types of Microbes

• Bacteria
• Archaea
• Fungi
• Protista
• Viruses

Role and Application of Microbes

• Role/applications in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry
• Production of important pharmaceuticals:
  • Glucose polymers
  • Vitamins
  • Amino acids
  • Ion chelating agents
  • Enzymes
  • Antibiotics

Bacteria as Human Substance Producers

• Hormone erythropoietin (EPO): necessary for red blood cell development
• EPO is difficult to isolate but is now available in high quantities from bacteria
• Human insulin gene cloned into bacteria for overproduction and purification

Importance of Microbiology in Agriculture

• Decomposition and Recycling:
  • Waste treatment
  • Soil fertility
• Food Production:
  • Dairy industry
  • Spoilage
• Animal and plant health:
  • Benefits
  • Disease

Agriculture: Details

• Legumes: plants with root nodules to fix nitrogen (reducing fertilizer dependence)
• Ruminant animals: cattle/sheep have a rumen that uses bacteria to digest cellulose in grass and hay
• Nutrient cycling: bacteria/microorganisms convert carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur into usable forms for plants
• Microbial diseases: Foot and mouth disease, mad cow disease, potato blight

Role of Microbiology in the Food Industry

• Food spoilage: causes economic loss
• Foodborne pathogens: health risk
• Dairy products (cheese, yogurt): microbial activity
• Baked goods/alcoholic beverages: yeast activity
• Animal feed (single-cell protein): microbial biomass or proteins from bacteria/yeast/fungi
• Food supplements (probiotics)

Probiotics

• Only 1% of microbes cause infection
• Live microorganisms that provide beneficial health effects
• Favorably alter the intestinal microflora balance
• Inhibit harmful bacteria
• Produce bacteriocin (natural antibiotics)
• Promote good digestion
• Enhance immune function/increase resistance to infection
• Found in fermented dairy products (e.g., yogurt)
• Also available as supplements

Role of Microbiology in Plant and Animal Health

• Antimicrobial use in food animals:
  • Large quantities of antibiotics given to animals
  • Contributes to antibiotic resistance
• Prevention from disease/promote growth, not treatment of illness
• Transmission to human pathogens
• EU ban of four antibiotics as growth promoters (1999)
• Long-term, low-dose antibiotic exposure is more likely to cause resistant bacteria
• Antimicrobials used in food-producing animals

Microbiology as a Medical Discipline

• Prevention and treatment of infectious diseases
• Principal causes of death globally: RTI, diarrheal diseases, mycobacteria
• Major problem: drug resistance
• Emerging infections/immunocompromised patients
• Hospital-acquired infections

Role of Microbiologists

• Bacteriologists: Study bacteria and their effects/importance on humans
• Virologists: Study viruses and their effects/importance
• Mycologists: Study fungi
• Protozoologists: Study protozoa
• Epidemiologists: Investigate infectious disease outbreaks
• Immunologists: Study how the body defends against microbial invaders

History of Microbiology

• Discovery of microscopic life: invisible organisms believed to cause diseases long before observation
• Mid-1600s: Single-celled organisms discovered
• 1684: Antony van Leeuwenhoek: cloth merchant, developed magnifying glasses to observe "wee animalcules"
• Leeuwenhoek's skill: polishing lenses to 200X magnification (inventor of microscopy)
• Spontaneous generation debate and disproval (Pasteur)
• 1864: Pasteur's experiments: disproved spontaneous generation
  • Demonstrated microbial contamination by heating
• Importance of sterilization
• 1929: Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin
  • Produced by Penicillium fungus dissolving bacteria

Further Reading

• Microbiology an Introduction, Tortora, Funke and Case 12th Ed. Chapter 1
• "The Microbial World and You"

Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of microbiology as introduced in the first lecture of MICR20010. This quiz covers key concepts discussed by Dr. Jennifer Mitchell and prepares you for upcoming practicals and assessments. Make sure to review your notes and the lab manual before attempting the quiz.