MicroBiology 290 chapter 1
WCU\\ WCU Microbiology 290
Chapter 1 – Full Study Guide
2025
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (lā′vĕn-huk; 1632-1723)
a Dutch clothier, merchant, and lens grinder, and the man who first discovered the bacterial world. Van
Leeuwenhoek was born in Delft, the Netherlands, and lived most of his 90 years in the city of his birth.
created microscope of his own from lenses. Discovered the previously unknown microbial world, which
today we know to be populated with tiny animals, fungi, algae, and single-celled protozoa
Microorganisms/Microbes
Both terms include all organisms that are too small to be seen without a microscope. (WITH THE
UNAIDED EYE)
When was Leeuwenhoek elected to the Royal Society of London?
1680
Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778)
developed a Taxonomic system—a system for naming plants and animals and grouping similar
organisms together. Grouped organisms into animal or plant kingdom
biologists still use this basic system, but they have modified Linnaeus's scheme by adding categories that
more realistically reflect the relationships among organisms
scientists no longer classify yeasts, molds, and mushrooms as plants but instead as fungi.
The microorganisms that van Leeuwenhoek described can be grouped into six basic categories:
bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, algae, and small multicellular animals.
What types of microbes are too small to be seen without an electron microscope and not described by
Leeuwenhoek?
viruses
, Prokaryotic
any unicellular microorganisms that lack a nucleus. Classification: bacteria and Archaea
Bacteria and Archaea are
Prokaryote meaning?
meaning that their cells lack nuclei; that is, their genes are not surrounded by a membrane.
Bacteria
Bacterial cell walls are composed of a polysaccharide called peptidoglycan, though some bacteria lack
cell walls.
Archaea
The cell walls of archaea lack peptidoglycan and instead are composed of other chemicals.
members of both groups bacteria and archaea reproduce?
asexually
Most archaea and bacteria are much smaller than
eukaryotic cells
how do archaea and bacteria live?
They live singly or in pairs, chains, or clusters in almost every habitat containing sufficient moisture.
Not known to cause diseases in humans.
Archaea
the great majority do not cause disease in animals, humans, or crops. Are beneficial to us in many ways
Bacteria
Example of how bacteria is beneficial to us:
our bodies would be much more susceptible to disease. bacteria (and fungi) degrade dead plants and
animals to release phosphorus, sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon back into the air, soil, and water to be used
by new generations of organisms
Eukaryotic
organism made up of cells containing a nucleus composed of genetic material surrounded by distinct
membrane. classification includes animals, plants, algae, fungi, and protozoa
WCU\\ WCU Microbiology 290
Chapter 1 – Full Study Guide
2025
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (lā′vĕn-huk; 1632-1723)
a Dutch clothier, merchant, and lens grinder, and the man who first discovered the bacterial world. Van
Leeuwenhoek was born in Delft, the Netherlands, and lived most of his 90 years in the city of his birth.
created microscope of his own from lenses. Discovered the previously unknown microbial world, which
today we know to be populated with tiny animals, fungi, algae, and single-celled protozoa
Microorganisms/Microbes
Both terms include all organisms that are too small to be seen without a microscope. (WITH THE
UNAIDED EYE)
When was Leeuwenhoek elected to the Royal Society of London?
1680
Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778)
developed a Taxonomic system—a system for naming plants and animals and grouping similar
organisms together. Grouped organisms into animal or plant kingdom
biologists still use this basic system, but they have modified Linnaeus's scheme by adding categories that
more realistically reflect the relationships among organisms
scientists no longer classify yeasts, molds, and mushrooms as plants but instead as fungi.
The microorganisms that van Leeuwenhoek described can be grouped into six basic categories:
bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, algae, and small multicellular animals.
What types of microbes are too small to be seen without an electron microscope and not described by
Leeuwenhoek?
viruses
, Prokaryotic
any unicellular microorganisms that lack a nucleus. Classification: bacteria and Archaea
Bacteria and Archaea are
Prokaryote meaning?
meaning that their cells lack nuclei; that is, their genes are not surrounded by a membrane.
Bacteria
Bacterial cell walls are composed of a polysaccharide called peptidoglycan, though some bacteria lack
cell walls.
Archaea
The cell walls of archaea lack peptidoglycan and instead are composed of other chemicals.
members of both groups bacteria and archaea reproduce?
asexually
Most archaea and bacteria are much smaller than
eukaryotic cells
how do archaea and bacteria live?
They live singly or in pairs, chains, or clusters in almost every habitat containing sufficient moisture.
Not known to cause diseases in humans.
Archaea
the great majority do not cause disease in animals, humans, or crops. Are beneficial to us in many ways
Bacteria
Example of how bacteria is beneficial to us:
our bodies would be much more susceptible to disease. bacteria (and fungi) degrade dead plants and
animals to release phosphorus, sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon back into the air, soil, and water to be used
by new generations of organisms
Eukaryotic
organism made up of cells containing a nucleus composed of genetic material surrounded by distinct
membrane. classification includes animals, plants, algae, fungi, and protozoa
