Microbiology the introduction.
The science that deals with the study of microorganisms and their activities is
called microbiology. The microorganisms are studied with reference to their:
1. Form and structure.
2. Reproduction.
3. Physiology and metabolism.
4. Identification.
5. Distribution in nature.
6. Relationship with each other and with other living organisms, etc.
The earth on which we are living is an excellent place for the existence of different
forms of life, which is animals, human beings, plants which are visible to naked
eye and are called microorganisms.
In addition, there is an existence of other forms of life, which are invisible to naked
eye. These organisms are called microorganisms. (Micro = small, bious
= Life).
Microorganisms are not alike. Some of them are very small while others are
relatively large in size. Some possess plant like characters while others have
animal like characters, and few of them are altogether different.
Based on morphological and functional properties, They are grouped as:
Bacteria are small., unicellular, microscopic organisms with primitive
nucleus.
Fungi are unicellular or multicellular microscopic organisms with well-
developed nucleus. They possess plant like characters, but are devoid of
chlorophyll and are not differentiated into roots, stem, leaves, etc.
Algae unicellular or multicellular microscopic Organism possessing plant
like characters. They possess chlorophyll Better not differentiate into Fruits,
commerce temp, leaves, flowers, etc. Most of them possess well developed
nucleus, except blue green algae.
Protozoa are unicellular, nonphotosynthetic microscopic organisms
possessing animal like characters, that is they do not possess rigid cell wall.
They have a well-developed nucleus.
Viruses are very small, ultra-microscopic (Seen under electron
microscope.), noncellular microorganism capable of multiplying only inside
the living cell. They are different from other living creatures.
Medical microbiology is the study of microbes that infect humans, the diseases
they cause, and their diagnosis, prevention and treatment. It also deals with the
response of the human host to the microbial and other antigens.
In early history, living organisms word classified into two kingdoms.
1. Plant Kingdom.
2. Animal Kingdom.
After their discovery, microorganisms were initially placed in either plant or
animal Kingdom based on their characters. With the increase in the knowledge of
microorganisms, it was found that many microorganisms possess both plant like an
animal like characters or neither plant like nor animal like characters. Because of
this problem, a new Kingdom Protista was proposed for microorganism by Ernst
Haeckel, (1866). All bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa Are grouped in the
Kingdom Protista. Viruses are not included because they do not have cellular
organization.
The Kingdom Protista is further divided into two groups based on
structural(Cellular organization.) Differences among the microorganisms, as
1. Prokaryotes.
2. Eukaryotes.
Prokaryotes group of organisms that lack cell nucleolus or any other organelles.
Most are unicellular but some are multicellular.
Eukaryotes group of organisms that possess cell nucleus and organelles
(Mitochondria, Golgi bodies, chloroplast) They are multicellular.
Differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes are presented. In the following
table.
Sr. No. Characteristics Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
1. Size less than 5µ greater than 5µ
2. Nucleus Primitive type. Well developed.
Nuclear Absent. Present.
membrane
nucleolus. Absent. Present.
Deoxyribonucleic Absent. Present.
protein.
Chromosome. Single, circular. One or more
(Linear).
Mitotic division. Absent. present.
3. Cytoplasm
Mitochondria Absent. Present.
Golgi bodies. Absent. Present.
Endoplasmic Absent. Present.
reticulum.
Ribosome 70 S 80 S
Lysosome Absent. Present.
Chloroplast Absent. Present.
4. Chemical
composition
Sterols in plasma Absent. Present.
membrane
Cell wall Complex. Simple.
Peptidoglycan Present. Absent.
Muramic acid Present. Absent.
5. Respiration. part of plasma Mitochondria.
membrane
mesomes.
Examples. Bacteria, blue Algae, fungi,
green algae. protozoa.
6. Locomotion Flagella. Flagella or cilia,
containing
microtubules.
(Locomotion
absent in plant and
fungi)
7. Nervous system Absent. Present in animals
only.
Discuss the beneficial and harmful effects of
microorganisms on human, animal and plant life.
Microorganisms are beneficial as well as harmful to human beings, animals and
plants. Although, the harmful effects of microorganisms are emphasize, Beneficial
effects are more than harmful effects.
Beneficial effects
Many microorganisms are useful slash beneficial in diverse ways. As following.
Many of them produce organic acids like citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid
acceptor, which are useful to us in many different ways.
Some of them produce vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, etc, and are used for
production of these substances, which are essential for us.
Certain microorganisms produce wines and alcohols.
Some microorganisms are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen into organic
matter and thus help to increase the soil fertility.
Methanogenic bacteria produce methane gas, which is of biofuel.
Some microorganisms produce antibiotics, which are used for the treatment
of infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms.
Harmful effects
Many microorganisms cause disease in man, Animals and plants. Do
considerable success has been achieved in the control of many
microorganisms, causing diseases, microorganism still pose serious threats
to human beings.
Many of them spoil our food.
Some of them spoil water - Produce odour and make water unsafe for
drinking.
Send microorganism spoil books, leather, furniture, rubber, iron pipes, wall
paints, etc.