1. Microorganisms and Disease

2. Microbiology
Microbiology explores microscopic organims such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa, parasites and some fungi and algae.
These organisms lack tissue differentiation, are unicellular, and exhibit diversity in form and size.

3. Viruses
Viruses are not alive. They are not considered to be living things
They can still affect living things
Viruses need a host cell
Examples of viruses: AIDS, Influenza (flu), the common cold, chicken pox, West Nile and Ebola
Vaccines help to control viruses

4. Bacteria
Bacteria are very small organisms, usually consisting of just one cell, that lack chlorophyll
Considered the smallest living things on Earth
Are found everywhere (even in your body)
They tend to multiply very rapidly in favorable conditions
Antibiotics are used to help with bacterial infections

5. Bacteria Types
Bacteria are classified into three (3) groups based on their shape: spherical, rodlike, spiral/corkscrew.

6. Vectors
Are mechanisms (other than people) that spread disease without getting sick itself.
Examples of vectors are rats, ticks, mosquitoes, and soil.
Scientists study microbial pathogens (things that cause disease) to find methods to control or cure them.