Microbiology

11 Mechanisms of Microbial Genetics • Introduction • 11.1 The Functions of Genetic Material • 11.2 DNA Replication • 11.3 RNA Transcription • 11.4 Protein Synthesis (Translation) • 11.5 Mutations • 11.6 How Asexual Prokaryotes Achieve Genetic Diversity • 11.7 Gene Regulation: Operon Theory • Summary • 14 Antimicrobial Drugs • Introduction • 14.1 History of Chemotherapy and Antimicrobial Discovery • 14.2 Fundamentals of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy • 14.3 Mechanisms of Antibacterial Drugs • 14.4 Mechanisms of Other Antimicrobial Drugs • 14.5 Drug Resistance • 14.6 Testing the Effectiveness of Antimicrobials • 14.7 Current Strategies for Antimicrobial Discovery • Summary • 23 Urogenital System Infections • Introduction • 23.1 Anatomy and Normal Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract • 23.2 Bacterial Infections of the Urinary System • 23.3 Bacterial Infections of the Reproductive System • 23.4 Viral Infections of the Reproductive System • 23.5 Fungal Infections of the Reproductive System • 23.6 Protozoan Infections of the Urogenital System • Summary • 24 Digestive System Infections • Introduction • 24.1 Anatomy and Normal Microbiota of the Digestive System • 24.2 Microbial Diseases of the Mouth and Oral Cavity • 24.3 Bacterial Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract • 24.4 Viral Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract • 24.5 Protozoan Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract • 24.6 Helminthic Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract • Summary • 25 Circulatory and Lymphatic System...

The study of microorganisms As is the case in many sciences, the study of microorganisms can be divided into two generalized and sometimes overlapping categories. Whereas basic microbiology addresses questions regarding the Basic microbiology The study of the biology of microorganisms requires the use of many different procedures as well as special equipment. The biological characteristics of microorganisms can be summarized under the following categories: Light microscopy Several modifications of light • Treponema pallidum The Advances in microscopes and microscopic techniques continue to be introduced to study cells, Nutritional and physiological characteristics Microorganisms as a group exhibit great 2); these are called If the nutritional requirements of a microorganism are known, a chemically defined medium containing only those chemicals can be prepared. More complex media are also routinely used; these generally consist of peptone (a partially digested protein), meat extract, and sometimes Microorganisms vary widely in terms of the physical conditions required for growth. For example, some are aerobes (require Pyrodictium occultum and Pyrococcus woesei) grow at temperatures above 100 °C (212 °F). Other physical conditions that affect the growth of microorganisms are acidity or basicity (

\( \newcommand\) • • Learning Objectives • State three harmful effects and four beneficial effects associated with the activities of microorganisms. • Define microbiota and microbiome. • Briefly describe two different beneficial things the human microbiome does for the normal function of our body. • State several diseases associated with a change in our "normal" microbiota. • List and recognize a description of the each of the 5 basic groups of microbes. Microorganisms are the dominant life forms on earth, are found in almost every conceivable environment, and are essential to sustaining life on this planet. There are five basic groups of microorganisms: • Bacteria are typically unicellular, microscopic, prokaryotic organisms that reproduce by binary fission. • Fungi (yeasts and molds) are typically unicellular, microscopic, eukaryotic fungi that reproduce asexually by budding . Molds are typically filamentous, eukaryotic fungi that reproduce by producing asexual reproductive spores. • Viruses are typically submicroscopic, acellular infectious particles that can only replicate inside a living host cell. The vast majority of viruses possess either DNA or RNA, but not both . • Protozoa are typically unicellular, microscopic, eukaryotic organisms that lack a cell wall. • Algae are typically eukaryotic microorganisms that carry out photosynthesis . Figure \(\PageIndex\): The size of a virus is very small relative to the size of cells and organelles. To get us started on our in...

\( \newcommand\) No headers Microbiology is a broad term which includes virology, mycology, parasitology, bacteriology, immunology, and other branches. A microbiologist is a specialist in microbiology and these related topics. Microbiological procedures usually must be aseptic and use a variety of tools such as light microscopes with a combination of stains and dyes. As microbes are absolutely required for most facets of human life (including the air we breathe and the food we eat) and are potential causes of many human diseases, microbiology is paramount for human society. • 1.1: Introduction to Microbiology • 1.1A: Defining Microbes • 1.1B: History of Microbiology - Hooke, van Leeuwenhoek, and Cohn • 1.1C: Pasteur and Spontaneous Generation • 1.1D: Koch and Pure Culture • 1.2: Microbes and the World • 1.2.1: 1.2A Types of Microorganisms • 1.2B: Classification of Microorganisms • 1.2C: Microbes and the Origin of Life on Earth • 1.2D: Environmental Diversity of Microbes • 1.3: The Science of Microbiology • 1.3.1: 1.3B Applied Microbiology • 1.3A: Basic Microbiology • 1.3C: Immunization, Antiseptics, and Antibiotics • 1.3D: Modern Microbiology Thumbnail: A cluster of Escherichia coli bacteria magnified 10,000 times. (Public Domain; Eric Erbe, digital colorization by Christopher Pooley, both of USDA, ARS, EMU).​​

Rafe Swan / Getty Images The field of microbiology is critical to human beings not only due to the It's often been said that the bacteria in and on our bodies outnumber our own cells. Research shows they at least equal the number of cells if not outnumber so this field of study could be considered one of the most important areas of knowledge and study. • Parasites: Parasites are sometimes more frightening than other microorganisms, at least when they can be viewed with the naked eye. Parasites include helminths (worms), flukes, protozoa, and others. Examples of parasitic infections include • Fungi and yeasts: Fungi are microorganisms that are in some ways similar to plants. Yeasts are a type of fungus. Examples include athlete's foot or other types of yeast infections, which all fall under the class of • Bacteria: We have as much bacterial in and on our bodies as we do cells, and the vast majority of these bacteria are "healthy bacteria." They protect us against infection from bad or pathologic bacteria and play a role in digesting our food. Examples of infections caused by bacteria include • Viruses: Viruses are abundant in nature, though the ones most people are familiar with are those that cause human disease. Viruses can also infect other microorganisms such as bacteria, as well as plants. Immunizations have decreased the risk of some frightening diseases, but others, such as • Prions: Most scientists at this time do not classify prions as microorganisms, but rather as...