Microbiology, Complete Module Notes
Many images and diagrams, short notes, easy to navigate, keywords included, answers to objective questions.
Essentially, a shortened version of the textbook relating to second-year undergraduate university study.
(Use ctrl + F on keyboard to find what you’re looking for)
2021 – UNIVERSITY - SECOND YEAR MICROBIOLOGY (BIOMEDICINE)
CONTENTS
LECTURE 1: Bacterial Genetics
o Briefly compare the difference between bacterial genetic material and that of a eukaryote
o How is bacterial genetic material replicated?
o Explain how bacteria divides by Binary Fission
o Explain how genetic material can be transferred horizontally between bacteria
o Discuss some of the laboratory techniques that exploit bacterial genetics
o Discuss how knowledge of bacterial genetics has uses in different applications
LECTURE 2: Viral Cultivation
o By the end of this session you should be able to:
o Describe the structure of viruses
o Explain agglutination with specific reference to hemagglutination
o Describe transduction
o Describe phage replication
o Describe replication of animal viruses
o Explain the different methods for growing bacteriophage
o Describe the different methods by which animal viruses can be cultured
o Discuss the pros and cons of each of these methods
LECTURE 3: Yeast, fermentation and food
o Describe the different methods of yeast replication
o Define fermentation
o Discuss a range of uses of microorganisms in the food industry
o Explain how microorganisms provide nitrogen to plants
o Understand the importance of yeast and bacteria in the fermentation processes of a
variety of foods
o Discuss the importance of microorganisms in food spoilage
o Define probiotics
o Describe the importance of bacteria in agriculture explaining the nitrogen cycle and
fixation
LECTURE 4: Biofuels
o List why we need renewable energy sources
o Discuss the role of microorganisms in the production of biogas and bioethanol
o Discuss the ethical issues for and against renewable energy sources
o Discuss the use of algae as a renewable energy source
1
, (Use ctrl + F on keyboard to find what you’re looking for)
LECTURE 5: Waterborne Diseases and Rotavirus
o Explain the use of indicator organisms when testing water quality
o Discuss the importance of water and sanitation and hygiene in preventing water borne
infections
o Understand the significance of rotavirus to global disease burden and discuss prevention
strategies
o Explain how the rotavirus vaccines were developed
LECTURE 6: MICROORGANISMS THAT CAUSE CANCER
o Define cancer
o Provide an example of a bacterial and viral causes of cancer
o Describe HPV infection
o Discuss the development and use of the HPV vaccine
o Distinguish between the cardia and non cardia sections of the stomach
o Discuss how H. plylori causes cardia cancers
LECTURE 7: Skin microflora and staphylococci
o Define the different forms of symbiosis
o Explain what the human microbiome is
o Describe some beneficial effects of the skin microflora
o Describe biofilms
o Discuss the differences between S. epidermidis and S. aureus
2
, (Use ctrl + F on keyboard to find what you’re looking for)
WRITE UP
LECTURE 1: Bacterial Genetics
o Briefly compare the difference between bacterial genetic material and that of a eukaryote
Eukaryote Bacteria
- Linear Double stranded Helix DNA coiled up - Double-stranded
- DNA found in a nucleus, (nucleolus) - Super coiled
- 23 pairs of chromosomes - Single Circular Chromosome
- DNA coiled around histone proteins - Haploid
- All DNA replicates in one go during Mitosis - DNA found in the cytoplasm nucleoid
- Most are Diploid (apart from gametes) - Circular DNA replicates during binary fission
- Lots of non-coding regions in between genes - limited amount of non-coding genes, the
- genetic material cannot be transferred longer a bacteria genome the more genes it has
between cells (at least not naturally) incorporated
- Each gene has its own operon - All adjacent genes have a single operon
- Contains smaller circular, double stranded
DNA strands: Plasmids
- Plasmids replicate independently from
Chromosomal DNA
- Plasmids often contain and express beneficial
genes for the organism (such as antibiotic
resistance
- Plasmids may be transferred between bacteria
o How is bacterial genetic material replicated?
1) During cell division (binary fission), cells begin to elongate
2) DNA replicates before the cell divides:
Supercoiling is relaxed by topoisomerase or gyrase
Two strands are unwound by Helicase
New DNA is synthesised by DNA polymerase
Point at which replication occurs is called the replication fork
Once the DNA has replicated the two loops are separated by the enzyme
topoisomerase
3) Cell divides
Topoisomerase
Helicase
Polymerase
3
, (Use ctrl + F on keyboard to find what you’re looking for)
o Explain how bacteria divides by Binary Fission
A series of proteins called Fts proteins are involved with bacterial division
After the DNA replicates a ring of FtsZ forms precisely in the middle of the cell
This ring recruits other Fts proteins to form the divisome complex
The proteins in the divisome are involved with the synthesis of peptidoglycan and a new
cell membrane called the division septum in the centre of the cell
When there is twice as much new material the cells divide
The time it takes for bacteria to divide (or double) is called the generation time
The inheritance of genetic material from one generation to another is known as vertical
gene transfer
o Explain how genetic material can be transferred horizontally between bacteria
Bacteria can exchange genetic material with bacteria in the same generation. This is
known as horizontal gene transfer
This can occur through 3 different mechanisms:
Transformation
Conjugation
Transduction
Transformation:
A process by which a bacterial cell can take up bacteria from the environment.
In nature bacteria release DNA into environment (probably after death and cell
lysis). Competent bacteria then encounter the naked DNA and take it up
Conjugation:
Requires a plasmid
There must be cell to cell contact
Only one cell can contain the plasmid
Conjugation occurs via pilli (Gram –ve bacteria)
Conjugation occurs via sticky surface molecules (Gram +ve bacteria)
4
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller marceepl. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £23.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
