Microbial Biology Course Notes

Course Overview

  • Course Title: Microbial Biology (Biol 3370)
  • Instructor: David Blair
    • Email: blair@bioscience.utah.edu
  • Teaching Assistants:
    • Carson Clayson (u1192157@utah.edu)
    • Nick Seefeldt (nicholas.seefeldt@utah.edu)
  • Semester: Spring 2025
  • Class Schedule:
    • MWF, 9:40-10:30 AM, CSC 205
    • Discussion sessions to be scheduled based on availability

Health and Safety Guidelines

  • In-person lectures with potential transition to Instructional Video Conferencing (IVC) depending on conditions
  • Masks recommended by CDC for all individuals

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

  • Introduction to prokaryotic diversity focusing on:
    • Metabolic capabilities of prokaryotes
    • Anaerobic respiration, oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis
    • Nitrogen fixation and carbon fixation pathways unique to prokaryotes
    • Intracellular organization and organelles in prokaryotic cells
  • Primary Textbook: Brock Biology of Microorganisms (16th Edition)
  • Exploration of literature to develop inquiry skills and understand scientific processes in microbial biology
  • Emphasis on bacteria and archaea rather than eukaryotic microbes due to their genetic and biochemical diversity

Grading Breakdown

  • Components:
    • 4 Midterms (75 points each) = 300 points
    • 3 Problem Sets (100 points each) = 300 points
    • In-class exercises = 250 points
    • Final Exam = 150 points
  • Total Points Available: 1000
  • Grading Adjustments: Lowest midterm score will be dropped, remaining scores will be up-weighted
  • Provisional Letter Grades:
    • A: 96% and above
    • A-: 92% to 95.99%
    • B: 84% to 87.99%
    • C: 70% to 75.99%
    • C-: 58% to 63.99%
    • <58%: F

Discussion Sessions

  • Scheduled based on student availability
  • In-person and possibly Zoom discussions

Lecture Schedule Overview

  • Week 1 Topics:
    • Introduction to microbial diversity
    • Prokaryotic cell structure and function
  • Reading Assignments:
    • Brock Chapters 1, 2
    • Recommended Papers:
    • "Prokaryotes: The Unseen Majority" (Whitman et al., 1998)
    • "Global Distribution of Microbial Abundance and Biomass in Subseafloor Sediment" (Kallmeyer et al., 2012)

Key Concepts in Microbial Biology

  • Many aspects of microbial biology are not directly visible but have significant implications (e.g., nitrogen's role in organisms, methane in gas deposits)
  • Misconceptions:
    • Microbial actions are often viewed negatively (e.g., diseases) but many are benign or essential
  • Microbial Diversity:
    • Significant biological diversity exists in microbes (mostly prokaryotes) as analyzed through rRNA sequences (N. Pace), highlighting the extensive evolutionary history dominated by prokaryotes
  • Metabolic Diversity:
    • Prokaryotes exhibit various metabolic pathways:
    • Utilize H$2$ and O$2$, NO$3^-$ for respiration, and H$2$S for energy
    • Understanding these pathways enhances appreciation for biochemistry and energy metabolism in microbes
  • Next Steps: Exploration of microbial diversity and its implications on ecological and biochemical levels.