Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) Widely Dispersed SLOs - Chapter 1

SLO 1: Define Microbiology

The scientific study of microscopic organisms, their ecological roles, adaptations, evolutionary relationships, and applications in medicine, biotechnology, and industry.

SLO 1: Define Microorganism

Microscopic entities that exist as single cells, colonies, or acellular particles (such as viruses), typically requiring magnification to be observed.

SLO 1: Microorganism - Primary Cellular Categories

Microorganisms are divided into prokaryotic cellular organisms (bacteria, archaea), eukaryotic cellular organisms (fungi, protozoa, algae, microscopic animals), and acellular particles (viruses).

SLO 2: Five Structures Found in All Cells - List

1. Plasma (cell) membrane, 2. Cytoplasm (cytosol), 3. DNA / Genetic material, 4. Ribosomes, 5. Cytoskeleton.

SLO 2: Plasma (Cell) Membrane Function in All Cells

The selectively permeable lipid bilayer boundary that encloses the interior of the cell and regulates what enters and exits.

SLO 2: Cytoplasm / Cytosol Function in All Cells

The internal, water-based gel/fluid environment where cellular metabolic reactions take place.

SLO 2: DNA / Genetic Material Function in All Cells

The hereditary instruction set that directs all cellular structure, protein synthesis, and metabolism.

SLO 2: Ribosomes Function in All Cells

Complexes of RNA and proteins that carry out translation to synthesize proteins.

SLO 2: Cytoskeleton Function in All Cells

A network of internal structural protein filaments that provides mechanical support, scaffolding, and cell shape.

SLO 3: Harmful Effect of Microbes 1 - Infectious Disease

Pathogenic microbes invade the body and cause acute or chronic illnesses (e.g., anthrax, tuberculosis, cholera).

SLO 3: Harmful Effect of Microbes 2 - Food and Agricultural Spoilage

Microbes cause decay and degradation of stored food supplies and cause crop or livestock diseases.

SLO 3: Harmful Effect of Microbes 3 - Hospital / Nosocomial Infections

Microbes transmitted in clinical settings (via hands, surgical tools, or clinical environments) cause post-surgical and wound infections.

SLO 3: Beneficial Activity of Microbes 1 - Ecosystem Nutrient Cycling

Microbes perform photosynthesis (converting light and carbon dioxide into organic matter) and decomposition (breaking down dead matter and waste into simple compounds).

SLO 3: Beneficial Activity of Microbes 2 - Biotechnology

Using living organisms to synthesize essential commercial products, including foods, antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines.

SLO 3: Beneficial Activity of Microbes 3 - Bioremediation

Using living organisms to clean up toxic waste, break down pollutants, and remediate damaged environmental sites.

SLO 4: Define Normal Flora

Microorganisms that naturally and harmlessly inhabit the human body surfaces (skin, gut, mucous membranes) without typically causing disease under normal conditions.

SLO 4: Define Pathogen

Any infectious microorganism capable of colonizing a host and causing disease, tissue injury, or systemic damage.

SLO 4: Normal Flora vs. Pathogen - Key Distinction

Normal flora are commensal or mutualistic resident microbes that coexist harmlessly, whereas pathogens are disease-causing agents that disrupt host health.

SLO 5: Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes - Nuclear Organization

Prokaryotes lack a true nucleus (pre-nucleus) and store DNA in a nucleoid; eukaryotes have a true, membrane-bound nucleus containing their chromosomes.

SLO 5: Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes - Organelles

Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles; eukaryotes possess membrane-bound internal compartments (such as mitochondria, ER, and Golgi).

SLO 5: Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes - Cellularity and Size

Prokaryotes are strictly unicellular and typically small (0.5 to 5.0 micrometers); eukaryotes can be unicellular or multicellular and are larger (20 micrometers and up).

SLO 5: Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes - Evolutionary Age

Prokaryotic-like ancestors arose roughly 3.5 billion years ago, long before more complex eukaryotic organisms evolved.

SLO 6: Three-Domain System - Definition and Basis

A taxonomic classification system proposed by Carl Woese that categorizes all cellular life into three primary domains based on evolutionary (phylogenetic) relationships.

SLO 6: Domain Bacteria - Characteristics

Comprises true, conventional prokaryotic bacteria found in standard terrestrial, aquatic, and host-associated environments.

SLO 6: Domain Archaea - Characteristics

Comprises prokaryotic organisms that possess distinct biochemical traits from bacteria and often thrive in extreme environments (extremophiles: high salt, extreme heat, extreme pH).

SLO 6: Domain Eukarya - Characteristics

Comprises all organisms built of complex cells with a true membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles (protists, fungi, plants, animals).

SLO 7: Six Major Groups of Microbes - Full List

1. Bacteria, 2. Archaea, 3. Fungi, 4. Protozoa, 5. Algae, 6. Viruses.

SLO 7: Major Group 1 - Bacteria

Microscopic, unicellular prokaryotic organisms that lack a membrane-enclosed nucleus.

SLO 7: Major Group 2 - Archaea

Microscopic, unicellular prokaryotic organisms distinct from true bacteria, frequently inhabiting extreme habitats.

SLO 7: Major Group 3 - Fungi

Eukaryotic microorganisms that absorb nutrients from their surroundings, including unicellular microscopic yeasts and multicellular molds.

SLO 7: Major Group 4 - Protozoa

Microscopic, single-celled eukaryotic organisms that are generally motile and non-photosynthetic.

SLO 7: Major Group 5 - Algae

Photosynthetic, plant-like eukaryotic microorganisms ranging from unicellular forms to simple multicellular structures.

SLO 7: Major Group 6 - Viruses

Ultramicroscopic, acellular obligate intracellular parasitic particles composed of a nucleic acid core enclosed in a protein coat.

SLO 8: Four Basic Characteristics of Living Cells - Reproduction and Heredity

The ability to replicate and transmit genetic information (DNA) accurately to subsequent daughter cells or offspring.

SLO 8: Four Basic Characteristics of Living Cells - Metabolism and Energy Processing

The capacity to take up nutrients from the environment, transform them through biochemical pathways, and generate usable energy.

SLO 8: Four Basic Characteristics of Living Cells - Growth and Development

The ability to synthesize cellular materials, expand in mass and volume, and maintain stable internal physiological order (homeostasis).

SLO 8: Four Basic Characteristics of Living Cells - Responsiveness to the Environment

The capacity to detect external chemical and physical cues, respond to stimuli, and adapt to environmental fluctuations.

SLO 9: Chapter 1 - Define Microbiology

The branch of biological science that investigates microscopic living cells (bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, algae) and acellular biological entities (viruses).

SLO 9: Chapter 1 - Define Microorganism

Any microscopic living organism or biological agent that cannot be seen in detail without the aid of a microscope.

SLO 10: Chapter 1 - Five Universal Cell Structures

1. Plasma membrane, 2. Cytoplasm, 3. DNA genome, 4. Ribosomes, 5. Cytoskeleton.

SLO 10: Chapter 1 - Why All Cells Need Ribosomes and DNA

DNA supplies the stored genetic blueprint for cellular components, while ribosomes are essential to translate that blueprint into functional proteins.

SLO 11: Chapter 1 - Three Harmful Effects of Microbes

1. Cause infectious illnesses in humans (e.g., cholera, tuberculosis, anthrax), 2. Spoil food supplies and crops, 3. Cause hospital-acquired/wound infections via lack of aseptic practice.

SLO 11: Chapter 1 - Three Beneficial Microbial Activities

1. Photosynthetic conversion of carbon dioxide to organic material, 2. Decomposition and nutrient breakdown, 3. Biotechnology applications like drug, food, and vaccine production.

SLO 12: Chapter 1 - Three-Domain System of Classification

The taxonomic framework dividing cellular organisms into Domain Bacteria (true bacteria), Domain Archaea (odd extremophiles), and Domain Eukarya (complex cells with nuclei and organelles).

SLO 12: Chapter 1 - Differences Among the Three Domains

Bacteria are standard prokaryotes; Archaea are distinct prokaryotes adapted to extreme conditions; Eukarya contain a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles.

SLO 13: Chapter 1 - Six Major Groups of Microorganisms

Bacteria (prokaryote), Archaea (prokaryote), Fungi (eukaryote), Protozoa (eukaryote), Algae (eukaryote), and Viruses (acellular).

SLO 13: Chapter 1 - Cellular vs. Acellular Microorganisms

Bacteria, Archaea, Fungi, Protozoa, and Algae are cellular organisms; Viruses are acellular particles lacking cellular machinery.

SLO 14: Chapter 1 - Millimeter (mm) in Microbiology

1 millimeter = 1/1,000 of a meter (1,000 mm = 1 m). Used to measure macroscopic structures or tiny multicellular animals.

SLO 14: Chapter 1 - Micrometer (µm) in Microbiology

1 micrometer = 1/1,000 of a millimeter (1,000 µm = 1 mm, or 1/1,000,000 m). The standard unit for measuring eukaryotic cells (20+ µm) and bacteria (0.5 to 5.0 µm).

SLO 14: Chapter 1 - Nanometer (nm) in Microbiology

1 nanometer = 1/1,000 of a micrometer (1,000 nm = 1 µm, or 1/1,000,000,000 m). Used for ultramicroscopic particles such as viruses.

SLO 14: Chapter 1 - Size Range: Bacterial Cells

Typical bacterial cells measure between 0.5 and 5.0 micrometers (µm).

SLO 14: Chapter 1 - Size Range: Single Eukaryotic Cells

Single eukaryotic cells generally range in size from 20 micrometers (µm) and up.

SLO 14: Chapter 1 - Size Range: Viruses

Viruses are ultramicroscopic and are measured in nanometers (nm), typically ranging between 20 to 400 nm.