MICR 2420 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1.1-1.2: Optical Microscope, Smallpox, Francesco Redi
18 Apr 2016
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Document Summary
Our modern concept of a microbe depends on two major research tools: advanced microscopy and the sequencing of genomic dna. A microbe is commonly defined as a living organism that requires a microscope to be seen: cells range in size from a few millimeter to 0. 2 micrometer, viruses can be much much smaller. Each microbe contains a genome to reproduce its own kind. They require food, gain energy to build themselves and respond to environmental changes. They evolve at a rapid rate= often too rapid to be seen in laboratories. There are some contradictions to this definition: supersized microbial cells- cells that can be seen with a naked eye. Thiomargarita nambiensis- grows to be the size of a fruit fly head. Caulerpa taxifolia-a single cell plant that covers many acres of the coast of california, with its leaf like cell parts: microbial communities- many microbes form complex multicellular accumulations (example: mushrooms, kelp and biofilms).
