Review of Microbiology Science that studies organisms such as viruses, bacteria and other unicellular organisms that lack tissue differentiation.

Viruses Non – living cells Nucleic acid, surrounded by a protein coat. Invade healthy cells to replicate resulting in destroying the host cell. Causes most illnesses in humans Vaccines are used to prevent these illnesses. Flu most common illness.

Bacteria Spheres, rods, spirals. Single cell with a cell wall and organelles. Tetanus, anthrax, strep throat. Antibiotics are used to treat infections. Overuse has led to resistance in some groups of bacteria

The Good Side of Bacteria Yogurt, wine, sourdough bread, etc. all use bacteria to develop their product. Some sourdough starters can be hundreds of years old

Fungi and Parasites Multicellular with cell wall and organelles and nucleus. Causes athlete’s foot and ringworm. Parasites – organism that feeds on the host. Tape worm.

Protists Microscopic single cell organisms. Can be plant like or animal like or both. Malaria and toxoplasmosis are caused by mosquitoes carrying a protest.

Diseases Outbreak – when a disease occurs in greater numbers than before. Epidemic – showing up in greater numbers than usual. Pandemic – can be larger in area than an epidemic – sometimes can be global. Vectors, other than humans, that spread disease. Zika, Ebola, Spanish Flu, Influenza, AIDS, SARS, etc.

Biotechnology Applies biological scientific knowledge to create products and processes for human use. Now we use genetics and living cells to modify the organisms to generate the traits we want. Fast growing salmon, insect resistant corn and cotton, rice that can grow in salty water, etc. All GMO’s

Many Uses Microbes that eat oil spills, came about from working with cells. Working with proteins and the cells gave us fast growing fish. Using genetics to produce higher yields of food crops. Gene therapy, use viruses to insert gene sequences into cells to cure genetic disorders.

Assessment on Microbiology