what is microbiology

Introduction to Microbiology

Microbiology is one of the applied biological sciences that began to exist in the late 19th century as a true science. It is the third branch of biology, in addition to botany and zoology.

What is Microbiology?

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, their effects on other biological entities, and their environment. Louis Pasteur (1822-95), a French chemist introduced the term “Microbiology”. On the other hand, Sedillot (1878), introduced the word ” microbe”.

However, Antony Philip Van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723), a Dutch microbiologist was the first to discover and rightly describe microorganisms (protozoa and bacteria). He used a simple microscope that he had made which was composed of double convex lenses. After his observation, he called the biological entities “animacules” meaning little animals. Hence, Antony Philip Van Leeuwenhoek is referred to as the father of microbiology.

What are Microorganisms?

Microorganisms are living organisms or biological entities that are too small to be clearly seen with the naked or unaided eye. Hence, they can only be seen with the aid of a microscope. Any living organism that measures 1mm or less in diameter is classified as a microorganism because it cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Microorganisms are ubiquitous, which means that they are everywhere such as the atmosphere, water, soil, humans, plants, animals, and other living organisms. Some of them are beneficial and live in the different parts of the human body especially, the mouth, guts, nose, vagina, etc. These tiny living organisms multiply rapidly and they are large in population compared to that of other living organisms in the world.

Examples of microorganisms are bacteria, algae, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. All except viruses are cellular. Microbes may exist either as a single cell or a bunch or clusters.

What is the Importance of Microorganisms?

Microbes are disruptive to society and harmful or pathogenic to humans, plants, and animals in many ways. Many food spoilage and damage to material things such as wood are also attributed to them. However, a handful of them are beneficial.

  • They are needed in the production of wine, beer, and other types of alcohol.
  • Yeast (a type of fungi) is used as a raising agent in bread and other confectionaries.
  • Cheese and yogurt are made with the help of microorganisms
  • They synthesize useful enzymes.
  • Antibiotics such as penicillin, streptomycin, and chloromycetin are synthesized from microorganisms.
  • Microorganisms are required to make vaccines
  • They are used in the production of vitamins
  • Microorganisms help to maintain biosphere stability through their various salient roles in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles that help to recycle organic and inorganic materials. For instance, Rhizobium spp, a Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium helps to fix nitrogen at the root nodules of legumes.
  • In ectotropical food chains and food webs, they are the producers. This means that all other living organisms in the chains and webs depend on them for survival.
  • In bioremediation, microorganisms are used to degrade or reduce pollutants, and industrial, and household wastes.
  • Some microorganisms which are consumed as food are nutritious and have health benefits. For instance, the lectin (a protein) in edible mushrooms inhibits the multiplication of cancer cells.
  • Taxomcyes andreanae, a fungus is used to synthesize taxol, which is an antitumor diterpenoid that is used to cure various cancer.
  • Some microorganisms that live in the guts of animals help in digestion.

Branches of Microbiology

Microbiology is generally classified into five based on taxonomy, that is, the different groups of organisms that exist. They are:

  1. Bacteriology: This is the study of bacteria (prokaryotic microbes), their morphology, genetics, ecology, and every other aspect of it. Bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp, Salmonella spp, etc. Someone who studied bacteriology is known as a Bacteriologist.
  2. Virology: It is defined as the study of viruses (such as Epstein-Barr virus, adenovirus,  Varicella zoster virus, etc), their structure, and diseases. A professional who studied virology is called a Virologist.
  3. Mycology: The study of fungi (such as bread mold, slime mold, mushroom, toadstool, mildews, yeast, etc), their taxonomy, biochemical, and genetic features. One who is into mycology is referred to as a Mycologist.
  4. Phycology or Algology: This is the study of algae, which are aquatic microscopic plants such as blue-green algae or cyanobacteria. Someone who studies algae is called a Phycologist.
  5. Protozoology: It is the study of protozoans, which are protists with animal-like features. Examples are Amoeba, Paramecium, Euglena, Trypanosome, etc. A professional who studies protozoa is called a Protozoologist.

Major Fields in Microbiology

In addition to the five branches stated above, microbiology as an applied science has other fields such as:

  1. Parasitology: This is the study of parasitism and parasitic organisms such as pathogenic protozoa, some insects, and helminth worms.
  2. Industrial Microbiology: Studies the industrial uses of microorganisms in the production of vitamins, enzymes, alcoholic beverages, antibiotics, enzymes, NH2-acids, etc.
  3. Food Microbiology: Studies the impact of microorganisms on food as it relates to food spoilage, foodborne diseases, and their prevention.
  4. Microbial Ecology: This studies the interrelationship between microorganisms and their environment. This is known in some tertiary institutions as Environmental microbiology.
  5. Public Health Microbiology: This field of microbiology monitors and controls the spread of diseases in a given community.
  6. Exomicrobiology: It is the study of microorganisms in outer space. This is also called astromicrobiology.
  7. Medical Microbiology: Studies microorganisms as the causative agents of diseases, their diagnosis, and prevention.
  8. Microbial Morphology: This field is concerned with the structure of microorganisms.
  9. Environmental Microbiology:
  10. Microbial Taxonomy: This is the identification, classification, and naming of microorganisms.
  11. Microbial Physiology: This studies the metabolism (functions) of microorganisms at the cellular and molecular levels.
  12. Immunology: Studies the immune system that helps the body fight against infections and diseases.
  13. Aquatic Microbiology: Deals with microorganisms in marine waters and fresh estuarine.
  14. Microbial Genetics and Molecular Biology: Studies the genetic makeup, structure, and biochemical activities of microbial cells.
  15. Air Microbiology: It is the study of microorganisms and their toxins in the air or atmosphere. This is also called aeromicrobiology.
  16. Agricultural Microbiology: This field studies the relationship between microorganisms and their effects on plants.
  17. Diary Microbiology: Studies the production and quality control maintenance of dairy products.
  18. Biotechnology: Here, the molecular and genetic levels of microorganisms are manipulated to make useful products.

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