Biology 2581B Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: African Trypanosomiasis, Microbial Genetics, Microbial Ecology
17 Mar 2014
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Document Summary
1. 1 the science of microbiology: microbiology: study of microorganisms understand microorganisms + apply understanding of microbial life, microorganisms: single-celled microscopic organisms and include the viruses, which are microscopic but not cellular. 1. 2 microbial cells outside membrane: cell: fundamental unit of life; isolated from other entities by membrane/cell wall. Properties of cellular life: fig 1. 3 properties of cells (p. 4, metabolism: cells take in nutrients from env"t and transform them into new cell materials/waste products. E is conserved helps build key structures. Formation of new cell = final result of metabolic activity: growth: reproduction; increase in cell number from cell division, evolution: process of descent with modification in which genetic variants are selected based on their reproductive fitness. Occurs faster when selective pressure is strong (ex. selection for antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria: motility: cell"s ability to move away from danger/unfavourable conditions and to exploit new resources or opportunities (ex. flagella)
