introduction to microbiology. introduction microbes are ubiquitous (everywhere) friends &...
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What is Microbiology
The study of microbesorganisms that must be viewed with a microscope... viruses, bacteria, protozoa, archae, and some algae, helminths and fungi
Microbes (cont.)
microbes may be classified as cellular or acellular (viruses & prions)
most are harmless, but ~3% are pathogens (cause disease)
Microbes and Humans
We are made up of about 1 trillion cells.
At any point in time you have about 10 trillion microbial cells growing on or inside you.
Microbes on us...
the microbes living on or in us are referred to as our indigenous microflora
some are opportunistic pathogens (can potentially cause harm)
Importance of Microbes
Bioremediation - "Remediate" means to solve a problem,
and "bio-remediate" means to use biological organisms to solve an environmental problem such as contaminated soil or groundwater.
Genetic engineeringNutrient cyclingFood webs diagram of the links among species in an ecosystem –
essentially who eats what. A food chain shows only the organisms that contribute to the diet of the top consumer
BiotechnologyAntibiotic productionDisease
Earliest known infectious diseases
Early human fossils & organs from mummies show evidence of TB, syphilis, schistosomiasis, and tapeworm infection
1900 BC, Greek army decimated by Bubonic Plague
1122 BC China was ravaged by smallpox
Anton von Leeuwonhoek
father of: microbiology, bacteriology, protozoologyinvented a simple microscope to observe microbes
Robert Hooke
Contemporary/ collaborator of Leeuwenhoek
Developed the compound microscope
Wrote “Micrographia” on observations
Coined the term “cell”
Louis Pasteur
Developed pasteurization
Developed the germ theory
Pioneered vaccinations
Promoted hospital practices to minimize disease spread
Robert Koch
Developed postulates for linking disease with a particular pathogen
1st demonstration of bacterial caused disease
Anthrax; Bacillus anthracis; (Gr., coal)-refers to the "black" blood in killed, diseased animals
cattle and sheep graze in infected pastures
anthrax spores (resistant form of bacteria) are in soil enter bloodstream via mucosal abrasions
Animals are very ill, weak, swollen, have black, bloody discharges
Animal dies and is buried earthworms pick up spores and carry them to the surface dirt animals graze in infected pastures, etc.
CONTROL: bury animals at a depth of at least 6 feet (no earthworms this deep)
FIRST DEMONSTRATION OF BACTERIAL DISEASE: 1876- Robert Koch
1. The suspected microorganism is present in every case of the disease and absent from healthy animals.
2. One must isolate and grow the microorganism in pure culture.
3. Injection (infection) of a healthy host with the microorganism in pure cultures must cause disease.
4. One must be able to isolate the microorganism from the new host.
Koch’s postulatesKoch’s Postulates
1. not all pathogens thrive in lab culture,
2. some are species specific,
3. some are synergistic,
4. some become less pathogenic when grown in vitro
Exceptions to Koch’s Postulates
Careers in Microbiology
Medical Microbiology involves the study of pathogens and the diseases they cause, as well as how the body fights those diseases
Clinical Microbiology deals mainly with the diagnosis of infectious diseases
Soil and Plant Microbiology deals in a variety of settings including microbial ecology, soil microbiology, environmental microbiology and plant pathology.
Employment Opportunities
Where do Microbiologists work?Microbiology positions include:Federal and State governmental laboratories (Center for Disease
Control, Food and Drug Administration, USDA, Dept. of Energy, etc.)Private environmental consulting companiesPharmaceutical industryFood production specialistFood safety and clinical laboratoriesHealthcare industryState laboratoriesBeginning salaries range from $40,000.