The discovery of microscopic world. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is the father of microbiology. A moderately educated owner of a textile business, he learned how to make his own unique microscopes which offered unparalleled magnification. Using these microscopes he made a number of crucially important scientific discoveries, including single-celled animals and plants, bacteria, and human cells.

Robert Hooke

Hooke used his microscope to observe the smallest, previously hidden details of the natural world. His book Micrographia revealed and described his discoveries.

Micrographia was one of the most important scientific books ever written, because it revealed a new world that people had never imagined could exist. Our knowledge of microbiology, quantum physics and nanotechnology can all be traced back to Hooke’s Micrographia and the path some scientists were inspired to follow after seeing the world Hooke had revealed.

EXAMPLES OF MICROORGANISMS Bacteria at hydrothermal vents grow best above 176°F (80°C).

Protozoa are single-celled eukaryotes (organisms whose cells have nuclei) that commonly show characterisics usually associated with animals.

Fungi can be single celled or very complex multicellular organisms Fungi can be single celled or very complex multicellular organisms. They are found in just about any habitat but most live on the land, mainly in soil or on plant material rather than

Disease causing microorganisms Bacteria Bacteria grow and reproduce inside the cells of your body. As they grow and divide, many bacteria make toxins (poisons). These toxins can damage your cells. Viruses Viruses cannot reproduce outside of the cells of their host. Once you are infected, viruses take over the genetic material of your cells. In this way they direct your cells to make copies of the virus until eventually the cell bursts, releasing many more viruses to infect other cells. Bacteria: salmonella, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, gangrene, bacterial dysentery, diphtheria, tuberculosis, bubonic plague, meningococcal meningitis, pneumococcal pneumonia Viruses: rabies, influenza (flu), measles,, polio, rubella (german measles), chicken pox, colds, cold sores Protoctists: malaria, amoebic dysentery Fungi: athlete's foot

Beneficial microorganisms Fermenting fungi Fermenting fungi decompose organic matter rapidly to produce alcohol, esters and anti-microbial substances. These groups of microorganisms also suppress bad odors and prevent plant infestation by harmful insects. Yeasts Fermentation is the process that produces alcoholic beverages or acidic dairy products. Fermentation involves the breaking down of complex organic substances into simpler ones by microorganisms called yeasts. Microflora Billions of bacteria live in the human digestive system. They form over a kilogram of our body weight. These bacteria are referred to as microflora, or gut flora. These bacteria break down food remains that have not been digested earlier in the digestive system.