Microbial World and You
Microbial World and You
Chapter 1
What is Microbiology?
Micro - too small to be seen with the naked
eye
Bio - life
ology - study of
Organisms included in the study
of Microbiology
1. Bacteria Bacteriology
2. Protozoans Protozoology
3. Algae Phycology
4. Parasites Parasitology
5. Yeasts and Molds
• Fungi Mycology
6. Viruses Virology
Penicillin
Mold
• Penicillium notatum
Escherichia coli
• Dr. Escherich
• Colon (intestine)
5. Biochemistry and Metabolism
Very simple structure
rapid rate of reproduction
provides “instant” data
6. Microbial Antagonism
Our normal microbial flora prevents
potential pathogens from gaining access to
our body
7. Insect Pest Control
Using bacteria to control the growth of
insects
Bacillus thuringiensis
• caterpillars
• bollworms
• corn borers
8. Bioremediation
Using microbes to clean up pollutants and
toxic wastes
Exxon Valdez - 1989
2 Genera
• Pseudomonas sp.
• Bacillus sp.
9. Recombinant DNA Technology
Gene Therapy
Genetic Engineering
“wee animalcules”
Spontaneous Generation
Theory that life just “spontaneously”
developed from non-living matter
Example:
• toads, snakes and mice - moist soil
• flies and maggots - manure and decaying flesh
Experiments to disprove
Spontaneous Generation
Francesco Redi 1668
Mycobacterium leprae
Leprosy
HIV
Koch established the Microbial
Etiology of 3 important diseases
of his day
1. Cholera (fecal-oral disease)
• Vibrio cholerae
2. Tuberculosis (pulmonary infection)
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis
3. Anthrax (sheep and cattle)
• Bacillus anthracis
Anthrax
Bacillus anthracis
• Gram (+), non-motile, aerobic, spore forming rod
• Streptobacilli with central spores
• Livestock
• Sheep, cattle, goats
• Humans
• Handle hides, wool, goat hair, handicrafts from the Middle
East made from animal products
3 Forms of Human Anthrax
1. Cutaneous Anthrax
• Enters thru cut or
abrasion
• Results in painless
ulcer (1-3 cm) with
black (necrotic) center
• About 20% mortality
rate in untreated cases
2. Gastrointestinal Anthrax
• Contaminated meat
• Abdominal pain, fever,
vomiting blood, severe
diarrhea
• 25% to 60% mortality rate
3. Inhalation Anthrax
• Initial symptoms
resemble common cold
• Progress to severe
breathing problems
and shock
• Usually results in death
1-2 days after onset of
acute symptoms
• Mortality rate 99% in
untreated cases
• Treatment usually not
effective after
symptoms are present
Anthrax as a Biological Weapon
Deadly if not treated early
Spores can be produced in large quantities using basic
knowledge of biology
Spores may remain viable for years (60 at least)
Spores can be spread
• Missiles, rockets, bombs, mail, crop dusters ?
No cloud or color
No smell
No taste
Antibiotics – only effective if administered early (within 24 –
48 hours)
Koch - 1st to use Agar to solidify
culture media
Golden Age of Microbiology 1857 - 1914
Pasteur
• Pasteurization
• Fermentation
Joseph Lister
• Phenol to treat surgical wounds – 1st attempt to control infections
caused by microoganisms
Robert Koch
• Koch’s Postulates
Edward Jenner
• vaccination
Paul Erlich
• 1st synthetic drug used to treat infections
• Salvarsan - arsenic based chemical to treat Syphilis
• “salvation” from Syphilis
Naming of Bacteria
Genus and species - Binomial System of
Taxonomic Classification
Cocci
Spiral
Arrangements
Staphylo
Strepto
Diplo
Sarcinae
Tetrad