1) Groups of Organisms (7):
Eukaryote: TRUE nucleus
1. Fungi
4. Bacteria
2. Algae
5. Rickettsia
3. Protozoa
!
Prokaryote: NO Nucleus Ribosome is the only Organelle
6. Mycoplasma
(7. Viruses: No cell structure, ARE NOT CELLS)
Microorganisms are:
!
UBIQUITOUS!
!
HARMLESS IN THEIR NORMAL HABITAT
!
OPPORTUNISTIC (If they leave their normal habitat and get into us)
2) Roles of Microorganisms:
(Bacteria and Fungi are “Semi-Good”)
- digestion
- conserve water in GI tract
- produce Vit K (and some B vitamins)
- normal microbiota play a protective role in gut
- degrade organic material into inorganic material (sewage, outhouses, cess pools, septic tanks)
- Aid crop development because they “Fix” Nitrogen
- Pesticides: protect crops, i.e., kill larvae of gypsy moths
- Food
- sauerkraut
- dairy: yogurt, kefir, cheese
- baking industry: yeast and fermentation
- Alcohol
- beer
- wine
- hard liquor
- Pharmaceuticals
- antibiotics
- Curing Leather
- Curing Tobacco
Microbiology!
3. History of the Micro Men
Date Microbiologist
1590
Known for
First to use the word “CELL”
Van
Leeuwenhoek
Used a variety of magnifying lenses 50-300X
Described “Animalcules” (cork, algae, yeast, saliva, etc.)
Von Helmont
“ORIGIN of LIFE” = Life from Non Life, Spontaneous
Generation or Theory of ABIOGENESIS; Thought he cld make life from non-life. Used dirty cloth and old food → days → maggots
Redi
Abiogenesis occurred thru the air, Experimented w/ decaying meat, some covered and uncovered.
Jablot
No Microorganisms if boiled; Created a liquid medium from hay and water. Some open, covered and/or boiled
Needham
Discovered spores without knowing it; Discovered all bacteria have an active life form; Found didn’t boil long enough Spallanzani
Boiled longer → killed off spores; Reconfirmed air is a method of transport for microorganisms
Schroder &
Van Dusch
1710