Microbiology and

Biotechnology

Microbiology Aims

1. Investigate the presence of micro-organisms in air and soil

2. List three common illnesses caused by viruses and three caused by bacteria

What is a micro-organism?

An organism which is very small.Examples of micro-organisms:

• Bacteria – e.g. E.coli, Samonella

• Virus - e.g. flu virus, HIV

• Fungi

click on the image to find out…

Bacteria• A single cell organism • Multiply quickly• Helpful in Antibiotics and Decay• Not so good as they Spoil food,

cause tooth decay and diseases

click on the title to see…

Each cell divides to give two/four/eight…..

Micro-organisms need:

• Food• Correct temperature• Suitable medium on which to grow…

Bacteria grow quickly between 300C and 400C

Micro-organisms can be easily seen growing in colonies if a clear medium is usede.g.agar jellygelatin

http://www.sciencehound.com/science_project_community/node/5333

Colonies of bacteria are seen as ‘blobs’ on the surface of the medium…

Different soils contain different bacteria

http://www.ceh.ac.uk/sections/epfs/Soilqualityandbiologicalindicators.htm

ANTIBIOTICS…these are chemical made by some micro-organisms to kill bacteria.

• Penicillin was ‘discovered’ in 1928 by Sir Alexander Fleming

• White blood cells do the same job.

http://www.uio.no/conferences/imc7/NFotm2000/February2000.htm

Penicillin is produced by the fungus we call ‘blue mould’

Virus

• They are parasites that attack cells

• They multiply inside our cells and then burst out killing the cell

This image is of a bird flu virus

http://www.influenza-pandemic.com/page1.html

BIRD FLU VIRUS…an epidemic of flu began spreading through the worlds bird population in 2005.

http://library.thinkquest.org/26467/enviromental_health.htm

This is one way a virus can spread. Are there others?

Which are caused by bacteria and which by virus?

food poisoningmeningitis

bronchitis

flu

cold

septic throat

AIDS

click here to check your answers

BACTERIAL VIRAL

food poisoning cold

septic throat flu

bronchitis AIDS

meningitis can be caused by either

YOUR TASK: find out which micro-organism causes the following:

verucca

spotspneumonia

warts

rabies

ulcers

TB

Fungi

• Not all are small• No chlorophyll so

live on organic matter.

• Yeast and producing antibiotics the main uses

• Also athlete’s foot and other poisons

Bacteria in vaccinationsYeast in bread production

Fungi in antibiotic productionYeast in alcohol production

Do you know more uses?

Enzymes in contact lens cleaners

Bacteria in yogurt production

MedicineIndustry

Some uses of biotechnology in…

Biotechnology is the use of living things

to make useful products

H/W

• P144• Q 2-5