MICROBIOLOGY - A brief Introduction & Significance

DEFINITION

 Microbiology is a branch of biology which mainly concentrates on the structure, characteristics, mechanisms, disease causing ability of Microbes/microorganisms(Animalia minuta). 

All microorganisms (micro-"tiny") are microscopic prokaryotes, present in and around us which are invisible to the naked eye. A study about these microorganisms like Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses, protozoans, etc., is known as Microbiology.

Microbiologists is the one who study about microorganisms at their molecular, cellular and genetic levels. They also do detailed research on the pathophysiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis of certain infectious agents thus provide us with precise identification and diagnostic procedures, which plays a key role in treatment against diseases.

DID YOU KNOW?  Father of microbiology - Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (Dutch scientist) Father of modern microbiology - Louis Pasteur (French biologist)

VARIOUS BRANCHES IN MICROBIOLOGY 

•       Medical microbiology

•       Industrial microbiology

•       Food microbiology

•       agricultural microbiology

•       Virology

•       Bacteriology

•       Mycology

•       Parasitology

•       Immunology

•       Phycology

•       Molecular microbiology 

•       Microbial genetics

The detailed description of each will be available

 SIGNIFICANCE OF MICROORGANISMS :

1.     Microorganisms constitutes about 90% biomass of the entire biosphere.

 

2.     There exists huge diversity among these tiny monsters, accordingly each groups of microbes carry out many important and major natural processes Ex: decomposition, biodeterioration, and many biochemical processes.

 

 

3.     Our body is a home to many microorganisms which helps in process like digestion, etc., They present as commensal's in our skin, mouth, GUT, genitial walls.

 

4.     Few of them are pathogenic which results in number of diseases like cholera, typhoid, AIDS etc., They can infect both plants and animals and all live forms.

 

 

5.     Many microbes plays an important role in agriculture as they exhibit various host-parasite interactions with plants and provides sustainability.

 

6.     These interactions are predominant in nitrogen fixation, biochemical cycles, etc.,

 

7.     They also responsible for Fermentation process. It is a chief technique employed in industries. (beer, bread production, etc) 

 

 

8.     Production of antibiotics from variety of microorganisms is a vital life-saving treatment against various deadly diseases.

 

9.     Microorganisms also crucial in the production of bio-fuels.

 

 

10. They also aids in pollution control by cleaning.