Introduction to Microbiology

Microorganisms are present everywhere on earth which includes humans, animals, plants and other living creatures, soil, water and atmosphere

 MICROBIOLOGY : the study of small living things.

MICRO = small, BIO = living, and LOGY = to study. 

Microbiology (or specifically, bacteriology) is still a very young science and not yet completely understood.

•Microbiology is the study of all living organisms that are too small to be visible with the naked eye.

•This includes bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, prions, protozoa and algae, collectively known as ‘microbes’.

•These microbes play key roles in nutrient cycling, biodegradation/biodeterioration, climate change, food spoilage, the cause and control of disease, and biotechnology. 

•Microorganisms are very important to the environment, human health and the economy. Few have immense beneficial effects without which we could not exist. Others are really harmful, and our effort to overcome their effects tests our understanding and skills. The uses of microbiology can be beneficial or harmful depending on what we require from them.

    Harmful Microorganisms

•Many microorganisms cause diseases in cattle, crops and others are known for entering human bodies and causing various diseases.

•Examples of familiar human diseases are:

•Bacteria: Pneumonia, bacterial dysentery

•Virus: Chickenpox, measles

•Protozoa: amoebic dysentery, malaria,

•Fungi: ringworm, athlete’s foot

    Useful Microorganisms

•As decomposers, bacteria and fungi play an important role in an ecosystem. They break down dead or waste organic matter and release inorganic molecules. 

•Yeast is a single-celled fungus that lives naturally on the surface of the fruit. It is economically important in bread-making and brewing beer and also in the making of yoghurt.

Branches of Microbiology

•There are various different branches of microbiology and these include the following:

• Bacteriology- The study of bacteria.

•Mycology –The study of fungi.

•Phycology– The study of photosynthetic eukaryotes. (Algae- Seaweed)

•Protozoology–The study of protozoa (Single-celled eukaryotes)

•Virology- The study of viruses, non-cellular particles which parasitize cells.

•Parasitology– The study of parasites which include pathogenic protozoa certain insects and helminth worms.

•Nematology– The study of nematodes.

THE DISCOVERY OF MICROORGANISMS

Microbiology essentially began with the development of the microscope. Although others may have seen microbes before him, it was Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch draper, who was the first to observe microbes in 1673.

As a draper, he used lenses to examine cloth.  This probably led to his interest in lens making.

He assembled hundreds of microscopes, some of which magnified objects 270 times.

As he looked at things with his microscopes, he discovered “micro” organisms – organisms so tiny that they were invisible to the naked eye.

He called these tiny living organisms “animalcules”. He first described bacteria, protozoans and many cells of the human body.