Environmental

Microbiology

Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms.
Microorganisms are all single-celled
microscopic organisms and include the viruses,
which are microscopic but not cellular.
Nutrition
Growth
Movements
Reproduction
React to the environment

Major groups of microorganisms are Bacteria,

Archaea, Fungi, Algae & Virus

General Characteristics of
Bacteria

A prokaryotic microorganism(no membraneenclosed nucleus)

Size: average size 0.5 m
Shape :
No mitochondria or chloroplasts
Single chromosome. There are reports of more
than one in few microorganisms e.g Rhodobacter
sphaeroides, Vibrio cholerae

A closed circle of double-stranded DNA

(Plasmid)
Flagella may present (made up of protein
flagellin)
Ribosome present
Rigid cell wall made of peptidoglycan. (Gram +
and -)
The plasma membrane : phospholipid bilayers

Produce industrially important molecules

Various mode of nutrition
Aerobic and anaerobic catabolism
Energy storage mechanism in the form of
polymers.
Production various virulence factor.
Diverse habitat, ability to grow in extreme
conditions.

Aquificae, Ancient
Microbial Diversity: Bacteria
bacteria,
They are
hyperthermophile (85C
-95C)
Chemolithoautotrophs
Thermotoga:
hyperthermophiles (80C 90C)
Gram with an outer
sheath
Chemoheterotroph
Deinococci: G + Cocci
with a sheath
Has efficient DNA repair
mechanism
Thermodesulfobacteriu
Resistant to radiation
m : and
Sulfate
reducing
desiccation.
thermophilic bacteria