INTRODUCTORY MICROBIOLOGY (MIB2601)
Learning units
LEARNING UNIT 0
Welcome and Introduction
0.1 Getting started
Welcome to Introductory Microbiology (MIB2601), a module that is offered in Unisa's
Department of Life and Consumer Sciences. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you
success with your academic year.
This is an online module, which means that you will find everything you need to complete the
module on this site. Check this site regularly for updates, posted announcements and
additional resources uploaded throughout the semester. Rapid communications throughout
the semester(s) have been made possible through myUnisa. By using the myUnisa site, you
can:
• Submit assignments (Please note: You only submit your assignment online),
• access your official study material,
• have access to the Unisa library functions,
• "chat" to your lecturer or to fellow students and participate in online discussion forums, and
• obtain access to a variety of learning resources.
Please take some time to familiarize yourself with the site so that you get to know where the
different tools and resources are. I will give you more information about this later in this
learning unit.
Although I would like to encourage you to study this module online, we also recognize that it
might be impossible for some of you to get online at all, while others might only be able to get
online infrequently. For this reason, you can also use the print-based study pack that you will
receive to study for this module.
Your study material for this module includes the following:
• Your prescribed textbook
• These learning units
• Tutorial Letter 101
• Any other tutorial letters you may receive during the course of the year
Details of your prescribed book are given in the "Prescribed books" menu option that you can
access on the left-hand side of this screen and in Tutorial Letter 101.
It is extremely important that you read this tutorial letter carefully.
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, MIB2601/001/3/2023
In this learning unit, I will give you an overview and some general information about this module.
I will also tell you more about how you can study this module, how to use myUnisa, and about the
assessment in the module.
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, MIB2601/001/3/2023
LEARNING UNIT 1
The Evolution of Microorganisms and Microbiology
1.1 Introduction
You leave your food overnight outside the refrigerator and when you come home the following
day, your food does not look good. What do you think has caused the spoilage of your food?
The culprit is microorganisms!
Microbes contain 50% of the biological carbon and 90% of the biological nitrogen on earth.
They are found everywhere, from geothermal vents in the oceans, to the coldest arctic ice, to
every person's skin. Microorganisms are important contributors to the functioning of the
biosphere. They play both beneficial and harmful roles. They harm humans by causing
diseases. But they also inhabit humans and help to digest their food and produce vitamins B
and K.
Microorganisms play a huge role in industry – in the manufacturing of bread, cheese, beer,
antibiotics, vaccines, vitamins, enzymes, and other important products. What do you think
would happen on earth if there were no microorganisms?
1.2 Learning outcomes
When you have completed this learning unit, you should be able to:
• Define microbiology as a scientific discipline and describe some of the methods commonly
used in the study of microorganisms
• Distinguish and compare the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
• Discuss the evolution and development of microbiology by referring to important events
and the scientists involved
• Describe the relationship between microorganisms and disease, and apply Koch's
postulates to relate microorganism and disease
• Explain the contributions that Pasteur, Winogradsky, Beijerinck and other scientists made
to the field of industrial microbiology and microbial ecology
• Distinguish between different sub-disciplines and areas of specialization in microbiology
1.3 Textbook reference
Study chapter 1 (The evolution of microorganisms and microbiology) in your prescribed
textbook (Prescott's Microbiology by JM Willey, LM Sherwood & CJ Woolverton, 2011). From
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