Biology 312: Microbiology Spring 2016

Lecture 1: An Introduction to Microbiology

OutlineI. Introduction to the Course

a. Course Overviewb. Course Rules

II. Assigning Teams and Case Studiesa. Assigning Teamsb. Assigning Case Studies

III. Living in a Microbial World a. The Ubiquity and Importance of Microbial Life

i. What are microbes?

ii. Where are microbes found?

Everywhere!!!

iii. What do microbes do (Microbial Ecology)?1. Decomposers

P. gigantea found fruiting on a red pine log in a northern Minnesota forest, where the fungus, an aggressive saprophyte, is commonly found on downed logs or cut

timber. Photo courtesy of Robert A. Blanchette (University of Minnesota)

2. Primary Producers

b. The Science of Microbiologyc. The Scientific Method

3 Nutrient Cyclers

4. Beneficial Associations with Animals and Plants

Digestion of cellulose, nitrogen fixation and other cool stuff

Sulfur-cycling bacteria are primary producers in deep thermal vent ecosystems

Photosynthetic bacteria in a hot sulfur spring

http://www.calacademy.org/exhibits/xtremelife/life_on_earth.php

iv. Medical Microbiology1. Microbial Growth in Pure Culture

2. Koch’s Postulates

3. Immunization

4. Antimicrobials