Lecture notes
Microbial World and Classification
- Institution
- Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)
Lecture notes on the microbial world and classification
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Introduction to microbiologyMicrobiology: derived from Greek words for small (mikros) and life (bios)
Microorganism: is a single cell or cluster of cells that can be only seen with the aid
of a microscope (ex. Viruses, bacteria, paramecium, mushrooms and fungi)
- Humans have their own microbiota
Types of microorganisms: Pathogenic:
1. Prokaryotes: - Superbugs
a. Bacteria, archaea - Flesh Eating bacteria
b. No nucleus, no membrane bound organelles, simple cells, 0.2 - 2.0um in - Killer germ
diameter - Killer microbes
c. Appeared about 3.5 billion years ago
2. Eukaryotes: Non-pathogenic:
a. Fungi, algae, protozoa - Fermented foods and drink,
b. No nucleus, complex cells, membrane bound organelles, 10 - 100um in - Biotechnology
diameter - Bioremediation
c. Appeared 2 billion years ago - Medicine/Treatment
3. Subcellular - Model organisms
a. Viruses (20-300nm) - Earth’s life system
b. Viroids, prions
Why’s this lake pink > adaptations:
- The waters of Laguna Salada de Torrevieja in Spain are many times saltier than
seawater
- At certain times of the year, the water appears pink
- The color comes from trillions of living prokaryotes
The Microbial World and Microbial Classification
Eukaryote Prokaryotes
- An organism with a complex cell or cells. - Are organisms without a cell nucleus or any other membrane-
- Genetic material is organised into a membrane bound bound organelles.
nucleus or nuclei. - In most cases unicellular (in rare cases, multicellular)
- Eukaryotes comprise animals, plants, fungi, protozoa. - Prokaryotes thrive almost everywhere, including places too acidic,
- Mostly multicellular—as well as various other groups that salty, cold or hot for most other organisms.
are collectively classified as protists. - Due to their ability to adapt to diverse habitats, prokaryotes are
- In contrast, prokaryotes are organisms, such as bacteria the most abundant organisms on Earth.
and archaea. - Prokaryotes are divided into two domains: bacteria and archaea
Eukaryotic cells are generally much larger than prokaryotes:
- A variety of internal membranes and structures organelles
- Cytoskeleton composed of microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate filaments (for organisation and shape)
Eukaryotic cell:
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