Microbiology and Cell Biology The basis of biotechnology

Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells Cells are the basic unit of life. Prokaryotes Eukaryotes Single-celled No nucleus No membrane-bound organelles Smaller (0.001 to 0.75 mm) Single or multi-celled Have a nucleus Have membrane- bound organelles Larger

Three Domains Domains of Life Eukarya Eukaryotes Archaea -prokaryotes - often extremophiles Bacteria - largest group

Man’s Use of Microorganisms Microbiology – study of microorganisms (microbes) and their effects on living organisms. Antibiotics Model systems Biological weapons Biofuels Food additives Pharmaceutical and protein production

Koch’s Postulates The microorganism must be found in abundance in all organisms suffering from the disease but should not be found in healthy animals. The microorganism must be isolated from a diseased organism and grown in pure culture. The cultured microorganism should cause disease when introduced into a healthy organism. The microorganism must be re-isolated from the inoculated, diseased experimental host and identified as being identical to the original specific causative agent.

Importance of Antibiotics A medicine that inhibits the growth of or destroys a microorganism Main line of defense against bacterial disease First discovered in 1928 by Alexander Flemming (penicillin) 1940s – large scale use began in the military during WWII Antimicrobial resistance continues to increase.

Anatomy of a Bacteria

Identifying Bacteria - Gram staining Invented by Hans Christian Gram in 1882 Two purposes: Determine the cell wall composition Make the shape of the cells visible (400x to 1000x magnification) http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_yrhPEqiYRxw/TN27SfSl70I/AAAAAAAACzM/G_CDZNFpooA/s1600/Gram+Hans.jpg

Identifying Bacteria Based on the thickness of the peptidoglycan cell wall Gram-positive Gram-negative Cell walls are thick so they take up the stain. Tend to turn purple or blue w/ Gram stain Cell walls are thin so they do not take up the stain. Tend to turn red w/ Gram stain.

Figure 3.6

Identifying Bacteria - Assays Tests the activity of a drug or biomolecule in an organism or sample Ex: Starch hydrolysis test – determines if bacteria produce amylase

Bacteria Classification Three types based upon their shapes… Bacteria Classification Coccus Bacillus Spirillum Spherical shape Oval or rod shaped Spiral shaped “strepto” from Greek streptos meaning ‘twisted chain’ “staphylo” from Greek staphule meaning ‘bunch of grapes’

In the guts (digestive tracts) of animals EHEC (entero-hemorrhagic E. coli) bacteria (red) attached to gut cells (green)

Where do Bacteria Live? Use photos Soil bacteria http://www.flickr.com/photos/marlysd/3766006412/

Morning Glory Pool (hot spring), Yellowstone National Park http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-yellowstone-photos,0,3815159.htmlstory Morning Glory Pool (hot spring), Yellowstone National Park

Sulfur-consuming bacteria form “cave snot” http://news.softpedia.com/news/Bacteria-Snots-Form-Caves-42720.shtml

Bacteria in glaciers has been estimated at 8 million years old

salt marsh bacteria http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-04-19/a-collection-of-bacteria-from-a-salt-marsh/401282 http://www.nature.com/news/2001/010618/images/marsh_160.jpg

Anatomy of a Eukaryotic Cell

Uses of Eukaryotic Cells in Biotechnology Fermentation – yeast Protein production Therapeutic drugs – i.e. antibodies Stem cells Embryonic Adult/ Induced pluripotent

Resources http://cleanairsystems.biz/images/bac02.jpg http://textbookofbacteriology.net/Anthrax.html http://mortada8.maktoobblog.com/category/mi crobiology-immunology/bacteria/