Microbiology

Microbiology is the scientific study of microscopic organisms, either unicellular (single cell), multicellular (cell colony), or acellular (lacking cells) including protozoans, yeasts, algae, molds, microscopic fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Microbiology is concerned with the structure, function, and classification of these organisms and with ways of controlling and using their activities.

Microbiology encompasses numerous sub-disciplines including virology, mycology, parasitology, and bacteriology. Its foundations were established in the later 19th century, with the work of Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch. Since then, the scientists have identified many disease-causing microorganisms and have developed means of controlling their harmful effects. In addition, they have discovered means of channeling the activities of various microorganisms to benefit medicine, industry, and agriculture. Molds, for example, produce antibiotics, notably penicillin.

Modern microbiology. The branches of microbiology can be classified into pure and applied sciences. Both general microbiology and its specialized branches are developing extremely vigorously. There are three fundamental reasons for such development. First, microbiology has had the advantage of a large number of new methods of research, through advances made in physics, chemistry, and engineering. Second, the practical usefulness of microorganisms has increased sharply since the 1940’s. Third, microorganisms are being used to solve some of the most important theoretical problems of biology, such as heredity and variability, the biosynthesis of organic compounds, and metabolic regulation.

Medical microbiology related to applied sciences is a branch of medicine concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. There are four kinds of microorganisms that can cause infectious disease; bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. In addition, this field of science studies various clinical applications of microbes for the improvement of health as well.

A microbiologist examining cultures under a stereoscope.

A medical microbiologiststudies the characteristics of pathogens, their modes of transmission, mechanisms of infection and growth. Using this information a treatment can be devised. Medical microbiologists often serve as consultants for physicians, providing identification of pathogens and suggesting treatment options. They may also assist in preventing or controlling epidemics and outbreaks of disease. Not all medical microbiologists study microbial pathology; some study common, non-pathogenic species to determine whether their properties can be used to develop antibiotics or other treatment methods.

POST-TEXT ASSIGMENTS

Exercise 9. Make up the special questions and answer them orally:

1. Microbiology studies the microscopic organisms.

2. Microbiology is concerned with the structure, function, and classification of these organisms and with ways of controlling and using their activities?

3. Microbiology encompasses numerous sub-disciplines including virology, mycology, parasitology, and bacteriology.

4. Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch are considered to be the founders of microbiology.

5. The branches of modern microbiology can be classified into pure and applied sciences.

6. Medical microbiology related to applied sciences is a branch of medicine concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.

7. A medical microbiologist studies the characteristics of pathogens, their modes of transmission, mechanisms of infection and growth.

8. Medical microbiologists serving as consultants for physicians provide the identification of pathogens and suggest the treatment options.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-21