Microbiology: Definition, Classification & Branches

☞ What is Microbiology?

☞ How to classify microbiology?

☞ What are the branches of Microbiology?

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Fig. 1

Microbiology

Microbiology is a branch of science that deals with the study of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi and protozoa. This discipline includes fundamental research on the biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology, evolution and clinical aspects of microorganisms, including the host response to these agents.

Microbiology is concerned with their (1) form (2) structure (3) physiology (4) metabolism (5) identification and (6) reproduction. The microorganism are classified as Protista. This class includes all unicellular organisms, which are characterized by their lack of definite cellular arrangement as well as lack of differentiation of cells for specific metabolic function. The microorganisms included in the Kingdom Protista are (1) Bacteria (2) Algae (3) Fungi and (4) Protozoa. The microorganisms classified as Protista may be further divided into (A) Prokaryotes and (B) Eukaryotes.

A. The prokaryotic group

It contains microorganisms with a very simple cell structure. The cell is not bound by membrane and it does not contain well defined cellular organelles. The genetic material lies as a single piece of double stranded DNA in the cytoplasm. It is not organized into chromosomes inside a nuclear membrane. The cell does not contain mitochondria but contains simple enzyme system. Prokaryotes multiply by a simple dividing process, known as binary fission.

The prokaryotic cell (fig. 2)

B. The eukaryotic group

It contains microorganisms with a complex cell structure similar to that of higher organisms. The genetic material of a eukaryotic cell is differentiated into chromosomes which are contained in a nuclear membrane to form a definite nucleus. The cell contains complex enzyme systems, mitochondria and other organelles. The cell is able to make its own energy. Eukaryotes multiply by mitosis.

The eukaryotic cell (fig. 3)

Fig. 4

Note:

Viruses are also classed microorganisms, but they are differentiated from all cellular forms of life. A viral particle consist of nucleic acid molecule, either DNA or RNA, enclosed in a coat (capsid) made up of protein. The capsid protect the nucleic acid and it is replicated by the host's enzyme system and governs the formation of specific viral proteins. Mutation consists of formation of newly synthesized protein subunits and nucleic acid into mature viral particle. Viruses infect a wide variety of specific plants and animals hosts as well as prokaryotes and one of the eukaryotic algae.

There are several branches of anatomy, including:

Bacteriology: the study of bacteria.

Mycology: the study of fungi.

Protozoology: the study of protozoa.

Phycology: also known as algology, which is the study of algae.

Parasitology: the study of parasites.

Virology: the study of viruses.

Nematology: the study of nematodes.

Microbial cytology: the study of microscopic and submicroscopic details of microorganisms.

Microbial physiology: the study of how the microbial cell functions biochemically. Includes the study of microbial growth, microbial metabolism and microbial cell structure.

Microbial ecology: the relationship between microorganisms and their environment.

Microbial genetics: the study of how genes are organized and regulated in microbes in relation to their cellular functions. Closely related to the field of molecular biology.

Cellular microbiology: a discipline bridging microbiology and cell biology.

Evolutionary microbiology: the study of the evolution of microbes. This field can be subdivided into:

Microbial taxonomy: the naming and classification of microorganisms.

Microbial systematic: the study of the diversity and genetic relationship of microorganisms.

Generation microbiology: the study of those microorganisms that have the same characters as their parents.

Molecular microbiology: the study of the molecular principles of the physiological processes in microorganisms.

Medical microbiology: the study of the pathogenic microbes and the role of microbes in human illness.

Industrial microbiology: the exploitation of microbes for use in industrial processes.

Agricultural microbiology: the study of agriculturally relevant microorganisms.

Food microbiology: the study of microorganisms causing food spoilage and foodborne illness.

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