1. Introduction to Microbiology
Denise Lim

2. Use Your Textbook Wisely
Glossary and Index
Appendices
"Check Your Understanding"
Study Outlines
At end of chapters
Review and Study Questions at end of chapters
Answers in the back of the book

3. Some other words of advice
Manage your time well
Pay attention to detail
Learn to be a good communicator
Be professional

4. What is Microbiology?
The study of organisms usually too small to see with the naked eye
Requires a microscope
Microorganisms include:
Bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, algae, viruses, and animal parasites

5. How small is small?

6. Why do we care about microbes?
Some can make us sick (germs)
Most are beneficial
Important part of food chain: photosynthesis to decomposition (rot)
Found in our bodies (probiotics)
Fermentation: cheese, yogurt, wine, beer, vinegar, bread
Pharmaceuticals and medicine

7. Binomial nomenclature (naming microorganisms)
Two names: Genus and species
Always italicized or underlined
Genus name:
Always capitalized
Usually a noun
Species name:
Always lower case
Usually an adjective, sometimes a proper noun

8. All living organisms are either prokaryotes or eukaryotes
Refers to arrangement of genetic material (DNA) in cells
Pro - karyote means “before” nucleus
Eu - karyote means “true” nucleus
Prokaryotes have DNA spread throughout cytoplasm
Eukaryotes have DNA within a membrane bounded nucleus

9. Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes
Prokaryotes are either bacteria or archaea
All are single-celled organisms
Most are much smaller ( X smaller) than eukaryotic cells
Eukaryotes are everything else: Fungi, protistans, plants and animals
Can be either single- or multi-celled organisms

10. Bacterial cell on left is 1000X smaller than eukaryotic cell on right

11. Size Comparison of two prokaryotes & a eukaryote
Epulopiscium: µm
Escherichia coli: µm
Eukaryote
Paramecium: 50 µm

12. Are viruses living?
Bacterial Virus (T4)
Animal Virus (Ebola)

13. Why are viruses nonliving?
Noncellular
Composed of genetic material (either DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat
No metabolic capabilities
Cannot reproduce independently
No ability to regulate or respond to environment

14. What features define life?
Complex organization composed of cells
Ability to grow and develop
Ability to convert energy for own use
Ability to reproduce genetically similar offspring
Presence of genetic material: DNA & RNA
Ability to regulate internal environment (homeostasis)
Ability to respond to environmental stimulus

15. Important Historical Events: 1600's & 1700's
Development of the Microscope
Animicules visualized
Discovery of immunization & vaccines

16. 16

17. 17

18. 1800's Development of Cell Theory Fermentation and Pasteurization
Germ Theory of Disease
Antisepsis and Disease
Importance of hand washing
Antiseptics: chemical compounds that could kill germs

19. 19

20. 20

21. Robert Koch 1843 - 1910 Developed pure culture techniques
Proved that Bacillus anthracis caused the disease anthrax in cattle
Developed Koch’s Postulates: rules for proving a specific microbe caused a specific disease

22. Application of Koch’s Postulates

23. 1900's
Discovery of penicillin and other antimicrobial agents

24. Staphylococcus aureus inhibition by fungus Penicillium antibiotic

25. 1900's DNA is the genetic molecule Genetic Code - 1960’s Central Dogma
Recombinant DNA technology 's & 1980's
Human Genome Project
Personal “-omics”