Introduction to Microbiology

• Microbiology is a specialized area of biology that deals with tiny life forms that are not readily observed without magnification.
• Major groups of microorganisms include Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi, Protozoa, Algae, and Parasitic Worms.
• Thiomargarita magnifica is the largest bacteria ever discovered, found in the mangroves along the Caribbean Island of Guadalupe.
• Thiomargarita namibiensis is a gram-negative coccoid bacterium found in the ocean sediments of the continental shelf of Namibia.
• Epulopiscium fishelsoni is a group of gram-positive bacteria that has a symbiotic relationship with the surgeonfish.
• Microorganisms are useful in research due to their simple structures, statistically reliable results at a reasonable cost, and growth rate.
• Binomial Nomenclature, established in 1735 by Carolus Linnaeus, assigns each organism two names: the genus (plural: genera) is the first name and is always capitalized, and the specific epithet (species name) follows and is not capitalized.
• Pathogenicity refers to whether a microorganism causes or can cause disease, while non-pathogenic microorganisms are beneficial or have no effect.
• Bacteria are the most studied thoroughly, single-celled organisms which are spherical, rod-like (bacillus), and spiral, with some which can form a filament.
• Bacterial cells are prokaryotes because their genetic material is not enclosed in a special nuclear membrane.
• Bacteria have peptidoglycan cell walls that serve as their coverings.
• Many bacteria absorb nutrients from their environment but some make their own nutrients through photosynthesis or other synthetic processes.
• Some bacteria are stationary and some are motile.
• • Bacillus - an endosperm-forming organism that is ubiquitous in nature. They are known for their ability to reproduce a host of enzymes, antibiotics, and other metabolites.
• Amoeba and Giardia - They love moisture. It can cause amebiasis and giardiasis which can spread through contaminated water.
• • Chlorella - a type of algae that can help in weight loss, boost antibody counts, and it can also fight cancers or other diseases. Chlorella contains a range of nutrients such as proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals including antioxidants. 
• Bacteria are single-celled organisms which are spherical, rod-like (bacillus), and spiral, and some can form a filament.
• Bacteria are prokaryotes because their genetic material is not enclosed in a special nuclear membrane.
• Bacteria have peptidoglycan cell walls that serve as their coverings.
• Many bacteria absorb nutrients from their environment but some make their own nutrients through photosynthesis or other synthetic processes.
• Some bacteria are stationary and some are motile.
• Bacteria are widely-distributed in nature.
• Archaea consist of prokaryotic cells but if they have cell walls, the walls lack peptidoglycan.
• Archaea contain various polysaccharides and glycoconjugates.
• Archaea still form rigid boundaries that confer resistance to high internal osmotic pressure.
• Archaea are not known to cause disease in humans.
• Archaea are often found in extreme environments, are divided into three main groups: Methanogens, Extreme halophiles, and Extreme thermophiles.
• Methanogens produce methane as a waste product from respiration and are usually found in anaerobic environments such as hot springs, gut of animals, and humans.
• Extreme halophiles live in extremely salty environments such as the Great Salt Lake and the Dead Sea.
• Extreme thermophiles live in hot, sulfurous water, such as hot springs at Yellowstone National Park.
• Pyrolobus fumarii holds the upper temperature for life at 113C.
• Picrophilus spp is an acid-loving and heat-loving archaean that can tolerate high temperature and is considered as most acid tolerant organism since it can thrive at 0 pH.
• Fungi are organisms whose cells have a distinct nucleus containing the cell’s genetic material (DNA), surrounded by a special envelope called the nuclear membrane.
• Organisms in the Kingdom Fungi may be unicellular or multicellular.
• Large multicellular fungi, such as mushrooms, may look somewhat like plants, but unlike most plants, fungi cannot carry out photosynthesis.
• True fungi have cell walls composed primarily of a substance called chitin.
• The most typical fungi are molds.
• Molds form visible masses called mycelia, which are composed of long filaments (hyphae) that branch and intertwine.
• Fungi are widely-distributed in soil, seawater, freshwater, or an animal or host plant host.
• Fungi obtain their nourishment by absorbing organic material from their environment.