01:447:390 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: 21 Days, Gram Staining, Chromophore
26 Feb 2017
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A - small: <100 micrometers diameter -> need a microscope, unicellular, study of : Viruses (not living) small size maintains high surface area to volume ratio -> important b/c maximizes chemical exchange with environment. B - tremendous impact on earth: table 1. 1 characteristics of microbes. C- human use of microbes: table 1. 2. Carrying out chemical activities of major industrial importance. Engineering fo production of useful proteins e. g. vaccines. Providing vital public health measures , such as sewage disposal. D- great diversity + complex interactions: abudance - about 60% of earth"s biomass. Ex: adult human body - about 1013 cells -> inhabited by about 1014 microbial cells: no other life forms are as important as microorganisms. Biogeochemical cycles- chemical transformations of life, microorganisms breakdown the material and release it: disease. 1. 8 - evolution of life forms on earth. Earth formed about 4. 6 billion years ago.
