Biotechnology: Microbiology & Cell culture

Microbiology

The study of microorganisms and their effects on other living organisms.

Microorganisms

Tiny living organisms that can only be viewed under a microscope, including bacteria, yeast, algae, protozoa, fungi, and viruses.

Importance of understanding microbes in biotechnology

Understanding microbes is crucial as they can be harmless and used to benefit mankind, but some can cause diseases in people, animals, and plants.

Three domains of life

The three domains are Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya.

Most diverse domain

Bacteria is considered the most diverse domain of life.

Domain related to humans

Eukarya is the domain most related to humans.

Properties of Archaea

Archaea are known for their extremophilic properties and unique biochemical pathways.

Properties of Bacteria

Bacteria are unicellular organisms that can be pathogenic or beneficial, and they reproduce asexually.

Properties of Eukarya

Eukarya are complex cells with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; they include animals, plants, fungi, and protists.

Comparison of Plant and Animal Cells

Plant cells have cell walls and chloroplasts for photosynthesis, while animal cells do not.

Functions of organelles

Organelles perform specific functions within the cell, such as energy production (mitochondria) and protein synthesis (ribosomes).

Examples of microorganisms

Microorganisms can be used in fermentation, bioremediation, and as model organisms in research.

Purpose of Koch's Postulates

Koch's Postulates are used to establish a causative relationship between a microbe and a disease.

Bacteria

Single-celled prokaryotic microorganisms that can have various shapes and metabolic capabilities.

Viruses

Submicroscopic infectious agents that can only replicate inside living host cells.

Fungi

A kingdom of usually multicellular organisms that absorb nutrients from their environment, including molds and yeast.

Protozoa

Single-celled eukaryotic organisms that can be free-living or parasitic.

Algae

Photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular and are found in aquatic environments.

Extremophiles

Microorganisms that thrive in extreme environmental conditions, such as high salinity or temperature.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that contain a nucleus and organelles, found in organisms such as animals, plants, and fungi.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, found in Bacteria and Archaea.

Bioremediation

The use of microorganisms to remove pollutants or contaminants from the environment.

Pathogenic Microbes

Microorganisms that can cause disease in a host organism.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants and some microorganisms convert light energy into chemical energy.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol using microorganisms.

Cell Wall

A rigid structure that provides support and protection to plant cells, bacteria, and fungi.

Ribosomes

Molecular machines in cells that synthesize proteins according to the genetic instructions.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells that conduct photosynthesis, converting solar energy into chemical energy.

Microbial Diversity

The variety of microbial species found in a specific environment, critical for ecosystem health.

Common bacterial shapes

Spherical (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli), and spiral (spirilla/spirochetes).

Key components of prokaryotic cells

Include a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes, and genetic material (DNA) located in the nucleoid region, but no true nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.

Major beneficial applications of microorganisms

Used in food production (e.g., cheese, yogurt, bread), antibiotic production, vaccine development, industrial processes, and environmental clean-up (bioremediation).

Obligate intracellular parasites

A characteristic of viruses, meaning they must infect a host cell to replicate and cannot reproduce independently.

Examples of common fungi

Includes yeasts (like Saccharomyces cerevisiae used in baking and brewing) and molds (like Penicillium which produces penicillin), as well as mushrooms.

Gram Staining

A differential staining method used to classify bacteria into two large groups (Gram-positive and Gram-negative) based on their cell wall composition.

Aseptic Technique

A set of procedures used in microbiology to prevent contamination of cultures and sterile media from unwanted microorganisms.

Antibiotics

Chemical substances produced by microorganisms that, in small amounts, inhibit the growth or kill other microorganisms, particularly bacteria.

Human Microbiome

The collection of all microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa) that live in and on the human body, playing crucial roles in health and disease.

Bacterial Growth Curve

A graph showing the increase in the number of bacteria in a population over time, typically including lag, log (exponential), stationary, and death phases.

Gram-positive bacteria

Bacteria that stain purple with the Gram stain due to a thick peptidoglycan layer containing teichoic acids in their cell wall, which retains the crystal violet dye. They lack an outer membrane.

Gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria that stain red or pink with the Gram stain because they have a thinner peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which prevents the retention of crystal violet, allowing the counterstain to color them. They also possess a periplasmic space.

Common bacterial shapes

Spherical (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli), and spiral (spirilla/spirochetes).

Key components of prokaryotic cells

Include a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes, and genetic material (DNA) located in the nucleoid region, but no true nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.

Major beneficial applications of microorganisms

Used in food production (e.g., cheese, yogurt, bread), antibiotic production, vaccine development, industrial processes, and environmental clean-up (bioremediation).

Obligate intracellular parasites

A characteristic of viruses, meaning they must infect a host cell to replicate and cannot reproduce independently.

Examples of common fungi

Includes yeasts (like Saccharomyces cerevisiae used in baking and brewing) and molds (like Penicillium which produces penicillin), as well as mushrooms.

Gram Staining

A differential staining method used to classify bacteria into two large groups (Gram-positive and Gram-negative) based on their cell wall composition.

Aseptic Technique

A set of procedures used in microbiology to prevent contamination of cultures and sterile media from unwanted microorganisms.

Antibiotics

Chemical substances produced by microorganisms that, in small amounts, inhibit the growth or kill other microorganisms, particularly bacteria.

Human Microbiome

The collection of all microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa) that live in and on the human body, playing crucial roles in health and disease.

Bacterial Growth Curve

A graph showing the increase in the number of bacteria in a population over time, typically including lag, log (exponential), stationary, and death phases.

Gram-positive bacteria

Bacteria that stain purple with the Gram stain due to a thick peptidoglycan layer containing teichoic acids in their cell wall, which retains the crystal violet dye. They lack an outer membrane.

Gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria that stain red or pink with the Gram stain because they have a thinner peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which prevents the retention of crystal violet, allowing the counterstain to color them. They also possess a periplasmic space.