CHAPTER 1

MICROBIOLOGY –
THE SCIENCE
Prepared by:
Ms. Julia Mhae B. Celon
Lecturer I
 WHAT IS MICROBIOLOGY?
Microbiology is the study of microbes. It includes the study
of certain nonliving organisms. Collectively, these nonliving
entities and living organisms are called microbes. Micro means
“very small”- anything so small that it must be viewed with a
microscope.
Microbes are said to be ubiquitous.
 MICROBES

ACELLULAR CELLULAR MICROORGANISMS

PROKARYOTES EUKARYOTES
 Microbes that cause disease are known
as “pathogens” and those that do not cause
disease are called “nonpathogens”. And only
about 3% of known microbes are capable of
causing disease. Thus, the vast majority of
known microbes are nonpathogens-microbes
that do not cause disease.
PATHOGENS
 WHY STUDY MICROBIOLOGY?
Although they are very small, microbes play significant roles in
our lives. Listed in the following are a few of the many reasons
to take microbiology course and to learn about microbes:

• We have, living on and in our bodies (e.g., on our skin and

in our mouths and intestinal tract), the microbes that live on
and in the human body which is referred as our indigenous
microbiota (human microbiome).

• Some of the microbes that colonize (inhabit) our bodies are

known as opportunistic pathogens.
 WHY STUDY MICROBIOLOGY?
• Microbes are essential for life on this planet as we know it.
For example, some microbes produce oxygen by the
process known as photosynthesis. Algae and cyanobacteria
– a group of photosynthetic bacteria that produce oxygen.

• Many microbes are involved in the decomposition of dead

organisms and the waste products of living organisms.
Collectively, these microbes are referred to as
decomposers or saprophytes.
 WHY STUDY MICROBIOLOGY?
• Some microbes are capable of decomposing industrial
wastes (oil spills, for example). Thus, we can use microbes-
genetically engineered microbes, in some cases-to clean
up after ourselves.

• Many microbes are involved in elemental cycles, such as

the carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorous
cycles.
 WHY STUDY MICROBIOLOGY?

• Algae and bacteria serve as food

for tiny animals. Then, larger
animals eat the smaller creatures,
and so on. Thus, microbes serve as
important links in food chains.
 WHY STUDY MICROBIOLOGY?
• Many microbes are essential in various food and beverage
industries, whereas others are used to produce certain
enzymes and chemicals.

• Some bacteria and fungi produces antibiotics that are

used to treat patients with infectious diseases. By definition,
an antibiotic is a substance produced by a microbe that is
effective in killing or inhibiting the growth of other microbes.
 WHY STUDY MICROBIOLOGY?
• Microbes are essential in the field of genetic engineering,
where a gene or genes from one organism is/are inserted
into a bacterial or yeast cell. Microbiologists have
engineered bacteria and yeasts to produce a variety of
useful substances, such as insulin, various types of growth
hormones, interferons, and materials for use as vaccines.

• Microbes have been used as “cell models”. The intestinal

bacterium E. coli is one of the most studied of all microbes.
By studying E. coli, scientists have learned a great deal
about the composition and inner workings of cell, including
human cells.
 WHY STUDY MICROBIOLOGY?
• Microbes cause two categories
of diseases: infectious diseases
and microbial intoxications. An
infectious disease results when
a pathogen colonizes the body
and subsequently causes
disease. A microbial
intoxication results when a
person ingests a tozm
(poisonous substance) that has
been produced by a microbe.
 FIRST MICROORGANISMS ON EARTH
Earth formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago. Life emerged
around 3.5 billion years ago, as evidence by microbial fossils in
ancient sandstone. Microbes like archaea and cyanobacteria
were likely the first life forms.

Animals appeared between 900 and 650 million years ago.

Modern humans (Homo sapiens) have existed for only 100,000
years. Microbes vastly predate animals and human, influencing
Earth’s evolution.
EARLIEST KNOWN INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Fossils in sandstone (Australia) date
back 3.5 billion years. Evidence shows
microbes thrived long before animals
and humans.

Human pathogens have existed for

thousands of years. Mummies and
fossils show evidence of diseases like
tuberculosis, leprosy, syphilis, and
malaria. Parasitic infections, such as
schistosomiasis and guinea worm, date
back to early human history.
EARLIEST KNOWN INFECTIOUS DISEASES
SCHISTOSOMIASIS
It is an acute and chronic disease caused
by parasitic worms.

People are infected during routine

agricultural, domestic, occupational, and
recreational activities, which expose them
to infested water.
EARLIEST KNOWN INFECTIOUS DISEASES
DRACUNCULIASIS
It is a crippling parasitic disease on the verge of
eradication, with 54 human cases reported in 2019.
 ANCIENT EPIDEMICS
• First recorded epidemic: a “pestilence” in Egypt around 3180 BCE.
• Epidemic during the Trojan War (~1900 BCE) thought to be
bubonic plague.
• The Ebers Papyrus (~1500 BCE) documented epidemic fevers in
Egypt.
• Smallpox mentioned in China as early as 112 BCE.

EARLY EPIDEMICS IN CLASSICAL CIVILIZATIONS

• Epidemics in Rome (790, 710, 640 BCE) and Greece (~430 BCE).
• Common diseases included rabies, anthrax, dysentery, smallpox,
and measles.
 HISTORY OF SYPHILIS
• Syphilis first appeared in Europe
in 1493. Many people believe
that syphilis was possibly brought
by Native Americans via
Columbus.

• Known by various names: French

Pox, Spanish Disease, Neapolitan
Disease.

• Officially named “syphilis” in

1530.
 MICROBIOLOGY’S PIONEERS
Early microbiology focused on understanding microbes like bacteria and
protozoa. Milestones include:
• Development of microscopes.
• Staining procedures
• Lab cultivation techniques
• Proving microbe-disease connections

Anton van Leeuwenhoek Louis Pasteur Robert Koch

ANTON VAN LEEUWENHOEK
• First to observe live bacteria and protozoa
• Known as the “Father of Microbiology”,
“Bacteriology”, and “Protozoology”.
• Self-taught lens maker who created over 500 simple
microscopes, magnifying up to 300x.
• Recorded observations of “animalcules” in:
• Tooth scrapings
• Pond water
• Blood and bodily fluids
• Origin theories debated, including spontaneous
generation (abiogenesis): belief that life arise from
nonliving material.
 LOUIS PASTEUR
• Louis Pasteur (1822-1895): French chemist and
pioneer in microbiology.
• His work forms the foundation of microbiology and
modern medicine.
• Known for groundbreaking discoveries that
advanced science and addressed pressing societal
issues.
• Studied why wine becomes contaminated during
fermentation.
• Demonstrated that:
• Yeasts convert glucose to ethanol (alcohol)
• Contaminating bacteria (e.g., Acetobacter)
convert glucose to acetic acid (vinegar), spoiling
the wine.
 LOUIS PASTEUR
• Conducted experiments that disproved the
theory of spontaneous generation.
• Established that life arises only from preexisting
life, supporting the theory of biogenesis.
• Discovered microbes that can live without
oxygen.
• Introduced terms: AEROBES and ANAEROBES
• Developed pasteurization to prevent wine
spoilage and economic losses in France
• Process: Heating liquids to kill pathogens while
preserving quality.
 LOUIS PASTEUR
• Advanced the germ theory of disease: Specific
microbes cause specific diseases.
• Bacillus anthracis: Anthrax
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Tuberculosis
• Developed vaccines for Chicken cholera, Anthrax,
Swine erysipelas, Rabies (for dogs and humans).
• Vaccines addressed major economic and health
crises 19th century France.
• Advocated for changes in hospital practices to
reduce pathogen transmission.
• Pasteur Institute established in Paris (1888) to honor his
work.
• Alexandre Yersin, a student of Pasteur and Koch,
discovered the plague-causing bacterium (Yersinia
pestis)
 ROBERT KOCH
• Robert Koch (1843-1910): German physician and
microbiology pioneer.
• Made critical advancements in germ theory and
microbiological techniques.
• Established Koch’s Postulates, foundational to
identifying disease-causing microbes.
• Proved that Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax
• Demonstrated that specific microbes are responsible
for specific diseases, validating germ theory.
• Discovered:
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis (causes
tuberculosis)
• Vibrio cholerae (causes cholera)
 ROBERT KOCH
KOCH’S POSTULATES
1. Microbe must be present in all cases of the
disease and absent in healthy hosts.
2. Microbe must be isolated and grown in pure
culture.
3. Disease must reproduce when the pure culture is
introduced into a healthy host.
4. Same microbe must be re-isolated from the
experimentally infected host.

IMPACT
• Enabled scientists to link specific microbes to
specific diseases.
 ROBERT KOCH
• Techniques for cultivating bacteria on solid media.
He introduced agar (suggested by Frau Hesse)
and Petri dishes (invented by R.J. Petri)
• Introduced the concept of pure cultures, essential
for isolating and studying microbes
• Developed tuberculin (protein from M.
tuberculosis), leading to the tuberculin skin test.
• Revolutionized tuberculosis diagnosis and
research.
 ROBERT KOCH
CHALLENGES IN FULFILLING THE POSTULATES:
• Some microbes (e.g., viruses, rickettsias,
Treponema pallidum) cannot grow in artificial
media and require living hosts.
• Species-specific pathogens may not infect
laboratory animals
• Synergistic infections involve multiple microbes,
making isolation challenging
• Pathogens may lose virulence after laboratory
culturing.
• NOT ALL DISEASES ARE MICROBIAL:
• Dietary deficiencies (e.g., scurvy, rickets)
• Genetic disorders (e.g., sickle cell anemia)
• Environmental factors (e.g., cancers)
 CAREERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
MICROBIOLOGISTS: Scientist studying microbes, with education
ranging from bachelor’s to doctoral degrees.

Specialized Fields in Microbiology

• Bacteriology: Study of bacteria (Bacteriologists)
• Phycology/Algology: Study of algae
(Phycologists/Algologists)
• Protozoology: Study of protozoa (Protozoologists)
• Mycology: Study of fungi (Mycologists)
• Virology: Study of viruses and their impact on living cells
(Virologists)
• Includes research on acellular infectious agents like
prions and viroids.
 CAREERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
GENETIC ENGINEERING AND VIROLOGY

GENETIC ENGINEERS
• Transfer DNA between cell types
• Focus on genetic manipulation and advancements in
biotechnology
VIROLOGISTS
• Explore cellular interactions with viruses
• Study advanced infectious agents smaller than viruses
 CAREERS IN MICROBIOLOGY

APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
• Focus on practical applications in:
• Medicine
• Industry
• Environmental science
 CAREERS IN MICROBIOLOGY

MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
• Studies pathogens, their diseases, and immune defense
mechanisms
KEY AREAS OF FOCUS:
• Epidemiology: understanding disease patterns and spread
• Disease Prevention: Aseptic techniques and vaccination
development
• Treatment: Effective therapies for infectious diseases.
• Immunology: Body’s defense systems and vaccine
production.
 CAREERS IN MICROBIOLOGY

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
• Branch of medical microbiology specializing in diagnosing
infectious diseases
IDEAL FOR THOSE PASSIONATE ABOUT:
• Laboratory science
• Diseases diagnostics
• Technological advancements in healthcare
 CAREERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
KEY CONTRIBUTIONS OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
• Eradication or control of major diseases (e.g., smallpox,
polio)
• Improved safety and success rates in modern surgery
• Effective treatment of infectious disease victims.
Microbiology offers diverse career paths, from research and
diagnostics to applications in healthcare and industry. Medical
and clinical microbiology have transformed public health and
disease management. This field continues to drive advancements
in technology, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
THANK YOU!