Theme 1 (part 1)
The World of Microbes
Microbiology - A study of organisms, very small to be seen by the naked eye.
Microbiologist - A scientist who studies living organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and
viruses (only seen by a microscope).
Areas of specialization in microbiology:
Bacteriology - study of bacteria
Mycology - study of fungi
Virology - study of viruses
Parasitology - study of protozoa/ parasitic worms
Immunology - study of immunity (also look at vaccines)
Microbes around us:
Can cause diseases (pathogenic)
Spoil food
Maintain Earth’s ecological balance
Produce industrial chemicals
Decompose organic material
Applied microbiology:
Biotechnology
Use of microbes for practical application, such as producing food and chemicals
Recombinant DNA technology
Enables bacteria and fungi to produce a variety of proteins, vaccines and enzymes.
Microbial genetics
Study of how microbes inherit their trait.
Genomics
The study of an organism's genes; has provided new tools for classifying
microorganisms.
Recombinant DNA
missing or defective genes in human cells can be replaced in gene therapy.(*a technique to
modify a person's genes to treat or cure diseases)
Genetically modified bacteria are used to protect crops from insects and freezing.
The World of Microbes
Microbiology - A study of organisms, very small to be seen by the naked eye.
Microbiologist - A scientist who studies living organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa and
viruses (only seen by a microscope).
Areas of specialization in microbiology:
Bacteriology - study of bacteria
Mycology - study of fungi
Virology - study of viruses
Parasitology - study of protozoa/ parasitic worms
Immunology - study of immunity (also look at vaccines)
Microbes around us:
Can cause diseases (pathogenic)
Spoil food
Maintain Earth’s ecological balance
Produce industrial chemicals
Decompose organic material
Applied microbiology:
Biotechnology
Use of microbes for practical application, such as producing food and chemicals
Recombinant DNA technology
Enables bacteria and fungi to produce a variety of proteins, vaccines and enzymes.
Microbial genetics
Study of how microbes inherit their trait.
Genomics
The study of an organism's genes; has provided new tools for classifying
microorganisms.
Recombinant DNA
missing or defective genes in human cells can be replaced in gene therapy.(*a technique to
modify a person's genes to treat or cure diseases)
Genetically modified bacteria are used to protect crops from insects and freezing.
