Scribd
Upload
61 views4 pages

Microbial Physiology (MCB301) Outline (2021-2022)

The document outlines the course structure for MCB 301: Introduction to Microbial Physiology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, detailing topics such as microbial cell structure, macromolecular synthesis, microbial growth, and regulation of microbial metabolism. It includes a schedule of lectures, assigned lecturers, and total hours for lectures and revisions. The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of microbial physiology over a 10-week period.

Uploaded by

davidkdickson397
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
61 views4 pages

Microbial Physiology (MCB301) Outline (2021-2022)

The document outlines the course structure for MCB 301: Introduction to Microbial Physiology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, detailing topics such as microbial cell structure, macromolecular synthesis, microbial growth, and regulation of microbial metabolism. It includes a schedule of lectures, assigned lecturers, and total hours for lectures and revisions. The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of microbial physiology over a 10-week period.

Uploaded by

davidkdickson397
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
MCB 301: Introduction to Microbial Physiology
Course outline and lecture schedule (2021/2022)
Prof. L. Ezeogu; Dr T Nwagu; Mr. C.S. Ahamefula; Mr. V. Onuora
SCOPE OF THE COURSE LECTURERS ALLOTTED
DATES

1. Introduction to Microbial Physiology


Prof. L.
Ezeogu
a. Definitions

b. The microbial cell structure, bases of similarities and differences in cell


structure between different microbial groups

c. Methods and tools employed in the study of microbial physiology

2. Relationship between Microbial Cell Structure and Function Dr. T. Nwagu

a. The microbial Nucleus/nucleoid

b. The microbial Nucleosomes/mitochondria

c. The Microbial cell envelopes, variations and differences/similarities in


function

d. The bacterial peptidoglycan and its enzymes

e. Teichoic acids and Lipoteichoic acids

f. Outer membranes of Gram negative bacteria and Lipopolysaccharide


biosynthesis

3. The bacterial cytoplasmic membrane Prof. L.


Ezeogu
a. Composition and structure

b. Relationship between structure and function

c. Permeability of the cell membrane/cytoplasmic membrane and nutrient


transport

d. The bacterial Cytoplasmic membrane and generation of electrochemical


potential

e. The bacterial cytoplasmic membrane and the multiplicity and function of


nutrient transport systems

● Diffusion
● Facilitated diffusion
● Active transport, including all forms
g. The Bacterial Periplasm; structure and function

h. Diversity of structure and function in microbial capsules

i. Diversity of structure and function in microbial organs/organelles of


locomotion

● Chemotaxis
● Swarming Motility
● Motility in Spirochetes
● Gliding Motility
● Pili or Fimbriae

4. Macromolecular synthesis and processing Mr. C.


Ahamefula
a. Structure and Synthesis of Microbial DNA (DNA Replication)

b. Structure and synthesis of Microbial RNA (Transcription)

c. Structure and synthesis of microbial proteins (Translation)

5. The Concept of Microbial Growth/Bacterial Cell Division DR. T.


Nwagu
a. Cell Division in Gram-Negative Rods

b. Cell Division in Gram-Positive Cocci

c. Cell Division in Gram-Positive Bacilli

d. Cell Division in Gram-Negative Rods

e. Cell Division in Gram-Positive Cocci

f. Cell Division in Gram-Positive Bacilli

g. The microbial growth phases and physiological significance

h. The Concepts of microbial growth in batch and continuous culture systems

6. Regulation of Microbial Metabolism Prof. L.I.


Ezeogu
A. Control of enzyme availability

a. Control by gene expression


Transcriptional control
DNA binding proteins (e.g. sigma factors and control of gene expression.)
The concepts of activation in gene expression
The concept of catabolite repression (Class I and Class II Catabolite
Repression Protein (CRP) – dependent genes
The Catabolite Repressor/Activator Protein Cra
Catabolite Control: The Gram-Positive Paradigm
The gal Operon: DNA Looping with a Little Help from Hu
The Arabinose Operon: One Regulator, Two Functions
Attenuation Controls
Transcriptional Attenuation Mechanisms
Translational Attenuation Control: The pyrC Strategy
b. Membrane-Mediated Regulation: The put System
c. Recombinational Regulation of Gene Expression (Flagellar Phase Variation)
d. Translational Repression
e. Anti-s Regulation by Molecular Hijacking
f. Titrating a Posttranscriptional Regulator: The CsrA/CsrB Carbon
g. Storage Regulatory Team
h. Global Control Networks
i. Communication with the Environment: Two-Component Regulatory Systems
j. Regulation of Nitrogen Assimilation and Nitrogen Fixation:
k. Examples of Integrated Biochemical and Genetic Controls
l. Phosphate Uptake: Communication Between Transport and two component
regulatory systems
m. Control by degradation of enzyme/ proteolytic control
n. Control of enzyme levels by degradation of mRNA for the enzyme

B. Control of enzyme activity: the concepts of fine and coarse control Mr. V.
Onuora
i. Allosteric control

ii. Control by chemical modification of enzyme:

● Control by reversible covalent modification


● Control by irreversible covalent modification of enzyme ( e.g.
Zymogen activation of enzymes)

iii. Control by synthesis of multiple enzyme isoforms (isozyme forms)

iv. Substrate availability

v. Product inhibition

vi. Compartmentalisation and control by limitation of accessibility to


enzyme/substrate

C. Application of physiological regulatory systems in microbial and Mr. V.


microbiological Onuora

processes:

i. Quorum sensing and bacterial cell-to-cell communication

ii. Osmotic Stress, osmoregulation and osmotic control of Gene Expression


iii. Regulation of the Oxidative Stress Response

iv. Nutrient Stress, Starvation, starvation stress response and stringent control

7. Differentiation in Microbial Cells Mr. C.


Ahamefula
i. Physiological aspects of sporulation and life cycle of Bacillus

ii. Physiological aspects of fruiting body formation and life cycle in Myxococcus
xanthus

iii. Physiological aspects of stalk, holdfast and flagellum development and life
cycle of Caulobacter crescentus

iv. Physiological aspects of host-parasite interaction in disease causation by


microorganisms

Revision 1

Revision 2

Examinations

Total lecture hours: 19 (10 weeks) Prof L. Ezeogu — lecture hours


Total revision hours: 4 (2 weeks) Dr. T. Nwagu — lecture hours
Mr. C.S. Ahamefula — lecture hours
Mr. Onuora — lecture hours
Lecture days and times
Thursdays: 9am – 10am
Fridays: 8am – 9am

Coordinator: Prof. L.I. Ezeogu

You might also like