Micro 501: Principles of Microbiology

Credit Hours: 3+1 (3+2-contact Hours)

Dr. Seema Sangwan

Assistant Professor
Department of Microbiology,
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004
seema_sangwan80@[Link]
Phone No.:91-94682-10204
 INTRODUCTION TO MICROBIOLOGY

Microbiology is the branch of biology that deals with the study of

microorganisms (less than 1mm) that cannot be seen with naked eyes.

Microscope: an optical instrument is required to observe the microbial

world

Size, shape, arrangement, structure, physiology and metabolism,

reproduction and classification,
distribution in nature,
relationships to each other and other living organisms,
impact on human beings, other animals and plants,
abilities to make physical and chemical changes in environment

Visual Acuity?
 Most microorganisms are unicellular in the sense that all the life processes are
performed by a single cell. Even if they are multicellular (like molds), their single
cell has all the life forming abilities unlike higher organisms
(cell tissue organs organ systems)

 Cells contain protoplasm which is a colloidal organic complex consisting of largely

proteins, lipids and nucleic acids.
GENERAL GROUPING OF MICROORGNAISMS:
[Link] kingdom classification: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Animalia, Plantae
[Link] of techniques like Electron Microscopy, Biochemical and physiological
characteristics and Sequencing of Nucleic acids and proteins
[Link] Woese in 1970s started comparing ribosomal RNA sequences of different
microorganisms: Monera (Procaryotes) divided into Bacteria and Archaea
[Link] a Days all organisms are grouped into three domains : Bacteria, Archaea and
Eucarya
General types:
A). Prokaryotic Protists
Bacteria, Filamentous bacteria
Archaea
B). Eukaryotic Protists
Fungi
Algae
Protozoa
C) Viruses Particles
Attributes Bacteria Actinomy Fungi Algae Protozoa Viruses
cetes Yeasts Molds

Cellular Prok Prok Euk Euk Prok/ Euk Particles

organisati Euk
on
Complexi Unicellula Unicellula Unicellula Multicellu Uni/ Unicellula -
ty r r but r lar Multicellu r
filamentou lar
s
Size (µm) 0.5-1.5 0.5-2.0 - 8.0 5.0X13.0 50X15 0.02-0.3
(hyphae (hyphae
diameter) diameter)
Number/g 108-109 107-108 104-105 105-106 103-106 103-105 1010-1011
soil
Wet 300-3000 300-3000 500-5000 10-1500 5-200 -
Biomass
(Kg/hac
soil)
Examples Escherichi Streptomy Saccharo Aspergillu Euglena, Euglena, Bacteriop
a coli, ces, myces s, Chalamyd Amoeba, hages T2,
Pseudomo Nocardia cerevisiae, Penicilliu omonas, Parameciu T4 and λ-
nas, Candida m, Anabaena, m phage
 ACTINOMYCETES
 Transitional group between bacteria and fungi
 Smaller than fungi and produce asexual spores called conidia
 Conidia gave their colony, a chalky appearance
 Degrade chitin, paraffins, phenols, steroid and pyrimidines
 Known to produce terpenoid geosmin (by Streptomyces), and 2-
methylisoborneol which are responsible for musty, earthy odours
 Causative agents of many diseases
 Largest antibiotic producing group ( Streptomycin, Neomycin, Erythromycin,
Tetracycline etc.)
 [Link]
 FUNGI
Commercial importance
Non-photosynthetic, Heterotrophic and saprophytic in mode of nutrition
Yeast (Unicellular):Budding, Commercial utility in production of alcoholic beverages
and non-potable alcohols, Some can cause diseases as well such as Candidiasis is
caused by Candida sp.
Molds (Multicellular):
Production of enzymes, organic acids etc
Disease causation in humans (Skin infections), animals and plants
Produce asexual and sexual spores for propagation and migration to distant areas via
mainly wind current, Contribute in Lichens and Mycorrhizal associations.
Molds
Yeast
 ALGAE
Prokaryotic: (Cyanobacteria/Blue green algae)- have Chl a and accessory pigments
(Phycobillins, Phycocyanin and Phycoerythrin)
Produce heterocyst-Thick walled, specialized cell having nitrogen fixation ability
(blocks oxygen and protect nitrogenase enzyme complex)
Oxygen evolving photosynthetic apparatus (photosystem II) is present in adjusent cells
Chlorophyceae- green algae
Bacillarophyceae-diatoms
Cyanophyceae-BGA
Xanthophyceae-yellow green algae
Rhodophyceae- red algae
Euglenaphyceae-Euglena, motile
Pheophyceae-brown algae
[Link]
Eukaryotic [Unicellular, Multicellular]
Chlorophyceae- green algae
Bacillarophyceae-diatoms
Xanthophyceae-yellow green algae
 PROTOZOA
 Non photosynthetic (mostly, except a few transitional groups like
Chlamydomonas), Motile, Unicellular, Eukaryotic
 Holozoic, saprobic and even cannibalistic in mode of nutrition,
 Predators to bacteria, fungi and any organism smaller to them
 Classified on the basis of locomotory organs, flagellates (Bodo, Cercomonas,
Tetramitus, Spiromonas), ciliates (Paramecium,Vorticella, Uroleptus)
Pseudopodiales ( Amoeba, Acanthaamoeba, Trinema)
 Flagellates are smallest in size (2-50µm) followed by Pseudopodiales (2-
600µm: from naked to testate and giant) and ciliates (50-1500µm)
 [Link]
 [Link]
 VIRUSES
 Acellular particle
 Obligate parasites (do not
metabolize, respire or reproduce on
their own)
 Submicroscopic
 DNA/RNA as genetic material
surrounded by protein coat (Capsid)
-naked viruses
 Some have additional envelope of
lipids, polysaccharides or
lipoproteins
 Extracellular (virions) and
Intracellular (parasitic mode) phases
in life cycle
SYMBOL OF TRUST