Biomed introduction

Disciplines of Biomedical Science:

1. Haematology - Study of blood.

   • Example: Leukaemia

2. Biochemistry - Study of chemicals and hormones.

   • Example: Diabetes

3. Microbiology - Study of microorganisms.

   • Example: MRSA

4. Histopathology - Study of disease in tissues.

   • Examples: Cancers/Tumors

5. Cytology - Study of cells.

   • Example: Cervical cancer

6. Immunology - Study of the immune system.

   • Example: HIV/AIDS

7. Molecular Biology - Study of DNA.

   • Example: Genetic disorders

Assessment Strategies

• Self-assess based on questions you can answer initially, progressing to questions you can ask.

• Stay engaged with course material and consistently review content.

Engagement Tips

• Take responsibility for your learning.

• Keep up with lab classes and review material quickly after attending.

• Utilize resources like feedback questions to test yourself and address gaps in knowledge.

• Form study groups and attend UniPASS.

Introduction to Microbiology

Basic Concepts in Microbiology

• Microbiology: Study of small living organisms (micro- = small, bio- = living, ology = study).

• Looking at various living organisms examined at the microscopic level.

Measurement of Microorganisms

• Size comparison:

  • Micron: 10^-6 m

  • Examples: Bacteria (1-2 microns), Red/White blood cells.

Nomenclature of Microorganisms

• Naming system (Binomial System) used in biological sciences: Genus + species.

• Example: Staphylococcus aureus

  • Genus: capitalized; species: lowercase; both italicized OR underlined.

  • Plural: genus ends in “i” (eg. staphylococci)

Role of Microorganisms

• ~87% of organisms are harmless; some have critical ecological roles (eg. decomposition)

• Opportunistic organisms may become pathogenic under certain conditions.

• 3% of known microorganisms are overtly pathogenic, causing various diseases (eg. syphilis or tapeworm)

Importance of Normal Flora (NF)

• Normal flora: microbes that inhabit the human body naturally (eg. bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa)

• Contributes to maintaining health and is found in areas exposed to the environment, such as skin and nasal passages.

  • Blood, tissues, lower respiratory tract = sterile (no microbiome)

• Most abundant in the large intestine; emphasises importance of hygiene practices.

Microbiological Discoveries

• Impact on hygiene, disease prevention, and food processing industries.

• Led to development of antiseptic techniques and microbial disease control methods.

Historical Contributors to Microbiology

• Robert Hooke: First description of cells.

• Antoni van Leeuwenhoek: First to observe bacteria.

• Louis Pasteur: Disproved spontaneous generation; pasteurization.

• Joseph Lister: Developed antiseptic surgical techniques.

• Robert Koch: Established germ theory through Koch's postulates.

Koch's Postulates

1. Causative agent must be present in every case of the disease.

2. The organism must be able to be isolated and grow in pure culture

3. Inoculation of a culture should cause disease (into a healthy individual)

4. The organism must be re-isolated from the experimental host (aka healthy individual)

Classification of Life

• Three domains:

  1. Eubacteria (true bacteria).

  2. Archaea (specialised organisms that look like bacteria).

  3. Eucarya (includes protozoa, algae, fungi, plants, animals).

Key Types of Microorganisms

• Bacteria: Prokaryotic (no nucleus), diverse shapes (cocci, bacilli), polysaccharide and peptidoglycan cell walls (sugar)

• Viruses: Non-cellular entities that require a host for replication, possess nucleic acids and protein coats.

  • only seen with electron microscope (10 - 30 nm)

• Fungi: Eukaryotic organisms that doesn’t photosynthesis and has a cell wall

  • Moulds: multicellular, produces hyphae, sexual and asexual reproduction (by spores)

  • Yeasts: unicellular, asexual reproduction (budding)

• Protozoa: Eukaryotic, often motile, live in varied environments.

  • Flagellum

  • Cilia

  • Pseudopodia (fake limb-like)

• Algae: Photosynthetic eukaryotes that produce Oxygen and are crucial in aquatic environments.