BIOL 2051 Chapter : Chapter 1 Noteswap
Document Summary
What is a microbe: organism that requires microscope to be seen, microbial cells size- 0. 2 micrometers ( m) to mm; viruses are much smaller, contradictions: Super-size cells - thiomargarita namibiensis is size of fruit fly head. Microbial communities in biofilms microbes have specialized functions & act as multicellular organism. Viruses are non-cellular- considered to be microbes but are not fully functional cells: 6 major groups studied by microbiologists. Prokaryotes: bacteria, archaea unusual places; extreme environments. Microbes shape human history: microbes affect food availability. Some destroy crops corn, late-blight irish potato famine. Some make food beer, bread, yeast: microbial diseases change history. Black plague in europe killed 1/3 population in 14th century. More soldiers have died from infections than battle wounds. Florence nightingale convinced british govt to improve army living conditions & upgrade army hospital standards. Light microscope invented in 1600s: mid-1600s: robert hooke observes eukaryotes with compound microscope. 1st to use term cells: antoni van leeuwenhoek -1676 :
