Microbiology: History & Scope PDF

 Fun facts 1. The human body has more microbes than there are human cells. In fact, microbes are ten times more than the number of human cells in a living human being. 2. The human mouth has approximately 500 bacteria species. 3. The largest bacteria can be viewed with th...

 Fun facts 1. The human body has more microbes than there are human cells. In fact, microbes are ten times more than the number of human cells in a living human being. 2. The human mouth has approximately 500 bacteria species. 3. The largest bacteria can be viewed with the naked eye, (Thiomargarit namibiensis and Epulopiscium fischelsoni). This bacterium is also known as the ‘sulfur pearl of Namibia’ and is found in the Ocean  Fun facts 4. Beef tapeworm is the largest parasite with a length of about 25 feet. (this can easily be transferred into your gut). 5. Mycoplasmas are the smallest known bacteria. 6. In 1918 influenza virus killed more people than those who died in World War 1. 7. Half of the oxygen in the atmosphere is generated by microbes.  Fun facts 8. Microbes are small but not simple. They have complex processes, structures, and behaviors like other animals. 9. Without microbes, life on earth cannot be sustained.  Introduction The science of microbiology is all about microorganisms and how they work. Microbiology is also about diversity and evolution of microbial cells; about how different kinds of microorganisms arose and why. It is also about where microorganisms live on Earth, how they associate and cooperate with each other, and what they do in the world at large, in soils and waters and in animals and plants  Introduction The science of microbiology revolves around two interconnected themes: Understanding the nature and functioning of the microbial world Applying our understanding of the microbial world for the benefit of humankind and planet Earth. If microbial life had not evolved, would you be here today? Give one good reason why or why not.  Introduction Microbiology is the study of microorganisms usually less than 1mm in diameter which requires some form of magnification to be seen clearly. Microbes – the scale of the invisible world. E. coli – 1 millimeter long Baker’s yeast – 10-15 microns Virus – only a fraction of a microns  Introduction The spread of certain diseases from one person to another long ago suggested the existence of invisible, transmissible agent of infection. Antony Van Leeuwenhock (1632-1723) made microscopes with sufficient magnification, then after, the science of microbiology began.  Introduction Leeuwenhock observed motile microorganisms taken from a decayed tooth under the microscope In 1767 and after the convention of compound microscope, Linnaeus distinguished 6 species of microbes assigned to one class, and 600 types were figured in 1838.  Branches of Microbiology Bacteriologist: study bacteria, there are medical, agricultural, biotechnological specializations. Mycologists: study fungi, there are medical, agricultural, biotechnological specializations. Protozoologists: study small “animal - like” single celled organisms such as amoeba, and various disease causing parasites.  Branches of Microbiology Phycologists : study algae Parasitologists: a term generally used to describe those who study small animals as agents of disease (like some microscopic worms for instance) but also used to describe those who study protozoan pathogens. Immunology: is often taught and researched in microbiology faculties. Key figures in the history of microbiology Robert Hooke (1635 - 1703) He made many scientific discoveries in the 17th century, including making one of the first microscopes and also using a copy of one of Leeuwenhoek’s microscopes to see and draw details of the structure of plant cells and some microbes. Key figures in the history of microbiology Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632- 1723) Made the first useful microscopes in the 19th century, they were essentially a lens held in a metal clip, the lens was made from a tiny drop of molten glass, and he used such a microscope to see the first microscopic cells. Key figures in the history of microbiology Élie Metchnikoff (1845-1916) The first to realize that animals such as us had a defence system against infection, what we now call the immune system Key figures in the history of microbiology Paul Ehrlich (1854-1915) Searched for the “magic bullet” against infectious disease, he synthesized the first successful (but very toxic) drug against a disease – syphilis, it was an arsenic derivative he called salvarsan. Key figures in the history of microbiology Gerhard Domagk (1895-1964) Developed the first useful drug against a variety of bacterial infections, the first sulfa drug – prontosil. Ironically, he died of an infection Key figures in the history of microbiology Sir Alexander Fleming (1881-1955) and Selman Waksman(1888-1973) Discovered the first relatively safe and effective antibiotics (of natural origin) – isolated from microorganisms. Fleming discovered penicillin, Waksman discovered streptomycin and a number of other antibiotics. Summary, History and Development of Microbiology 1. Discovering the organism 1635–1703: Robert Hooke- released the first known description of microorganism 1. Discovering the organism 1635–1703: Robert Hooke- released the first known description of microorganism 1676: A. Leeuwenhoek – first to observe and describe microbes accurately 1. Discovering the organism 1635–1703: Robert Hooke- released the first known description of microorganism 1676: A. Leeuwenhoek – first to observe and describe microbes accurately 1828-1898: Ferdinand Cohn –described the life cycle of the endospore-forming bacillus 1. Discovering the organism 1676: A. Leeuwenhoek – first to observe and describe microbes accurately 1828-1898: Ferdinand Cohn –described the life cycle of the endospore-forming bacillus 1884: C. Chamberland – constructed a bacterial filter that allowed the identification of viruses 1. Discovering the organism 1828-1898: Ferdinand Cohn –described the life cycle of the endospore-forming bacillus 1884: C. Chamberland – constructed a bacterial filter that allowed the identification of viruses 1898: Loeffler and Frosch – identified filterable infectious agent as cause of foot-and-mouth disease in cattle 1. Discovering the organism 1884: C. Chamberland – constructed a bacterial filter that allowed the identification of viruses 1898: Loeffler and Frosch – identified filterable infectious agent as cause of foot-and-mouth disease in cattle 1898-1900: M. Beijerinck – identified tobacco mosaic virus Importance of Microorganisms  Importance of Microorganisms 1. Food Industry and Beverages Conversion from milk to curd Wine and alcohol production Baking industries  Importance of Microorganisms 1. Food Industry and Beverages Conversion from milk to curd Wine and alcohol production Baking industries 2. Microflora Aid in the process of digestion Vit. K production Acting against other fatal microbes  Importance of Microorganisms 2. Microflora Aid in the process of digestion Vit. K production Acting against other fatal microbes 3. Pharmaceutical Industry Antibiotics  Importance of Microorganisms 3. Pharmaceutical Industry Antibiotics 4. Environment Enhancement of soil fertility Cleaning Are microbes such as bacteria mostly beneficial or harmful? Briefly explain your answer?