By Momina Shehzadi | BS Zoology Graduate, Pakistan In this article, we will learn Fungi - Morphology, Reproduction, Physiology and Importance - in simple words with diagram. This topic is very important for BS Zoology and Microbiology students. Fungi are found everywhere around us. They are present in soil, in water, in air, on dead plants, on dead animals, on our food, on our skin and even inside our body. When bread becomes old, green or black spots appear on it. These spots are fungi. When we see mushroom growing after rain, that is also a fungus. When yeast is used to make bread soft, that is also a fungus. Fungi are very different from bacteria and plants. They are eukaryotic organisms. It means their cells have a true nucleus and other membrane bound organelles. They do not have chlorophyll, so they cannot make their own food like plants. They get their food from other living or dead things. That is why they are called heterotrophic organisms. The study of fungi is called mycolog...
By Momina Shehzadi | BS Zoology Graduate, Pakistan
In this article, we will learn What is Microbiology - History and Scope of Microbiology - in simple words with diagram. This topic is very important for BS Zoology and Microbiology students.
Microbiology is the branch of biology that deals with the study of microorganisms. Microorganisms are very small living organisms which cannot be seen with naked eyes. They can only be seen under microscope. The word microbiology is derived from three Greek words mikros means small, bios means life and logos means study. So microbiology is the study of small life.
The study of microbiology is very important because microorganisms are present everywhere. They are in air, water, soil, food and even inside human body. Some microorganisms are useful while some are harmful.
HISTORY OF MICROBIOLOGY
The history of microbiology is divided into five phases.
1. Discovery Era: The first microscope was made by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1676. He was a Dutch scientist. He observed bacteria, protozoa and yeasts under his microscope. He called them animalcules. So he is known as Father of Microbiology.
2. Transition Period: During this period, scientists were confused about origin of microorganisms. The theory of spontaneous generation was popular which said that microorganisms arise automatically from non-living matter. Francesco Redi and Louis Pasteur disproved this theory.
3. Golden Age of Microbiology: The period from 1857 to 1914 is called Golden Age. During this period, Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch made great discoveries. Louis Pasteur is known as Father of Modern Microbiology. He invented pasteurization, vaccines for anthrax, chicken cholera and rabies. He also proved that fermentation is caused by microorganisms. Robert Koch discovered the germ theory of disease. He discovered bacteria causing tuberculosis, cholera and anthrax. He introduced Koch's postulates and pure culture techniques.
4. Era of Chemotherapy and Antibiotics: Paul Ehrlich introduced chemotherapy. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928. This was the first antibiotic.
5. Modern Era: In modern era, microbiology is divided into many branches like medical microbiology, industrial microbiology, soil microbiology, food microbiology and genetic engineering.
SCOPE OF MICROBIOLOGY
The scope of microbiology is very wide in different fields.
1. In Medicine: Microbiology helps in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Vaccines and antibiotics are products of microbiology.
2. In Industry: Microorganisms are used to produce alcohol, vinegar, antibiotics, enzymes, vaccines and organic acids on industrial scale.
3. In Agriculture: Bacteria like Rhizobium fix nitrogen in soil and increase fertility. Microbes are used to make biofertilizers and biopesticides.
4. In Food Industry: Microbes are used in making curd, cheese, bread and fermented foods. They are also used to check food spoilage.
5. In Environment: Microbes help in decomposition of organic matter and sewage treatment. They play important role in carbon and nitrogen cycles.
6. In Genetic Engineering: Bacteria like E. coli are used in biotechnology to produce insulin, growth hormones and other useful products.
CONCLUSION
Microbiology is one of the most important branches of zoology. Without microbiology, we cannot understand diseases, food spoilage or biotechnology. For BS Zoology students, it is essential to understand history and scope to understand the importance of this subject.
FAQs for Students - Microbiology History and Scope
Q1: Who is Father of Microbiology?
Ans: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is Father of Microbiology because he was first to observe microorganisms under microscope. Louis Pasteur is Father of Modern Microbiology.
Q2: What is Golden Age of Microbiology?
Ans: Period from 1857 to 1914 is called Golden Age because most important discoveries like germ theory, vaccines and pure culture methods were made in this period.
Q3: What is difference between spontaneous generation and biogenesis?
Ans: Spontaneous generation says life arises from non-living matter automatically. Biogenesis says life arises from pre-existing life. Louis Pasteur proved biogenesis.
Q4: What are Koch's Postulates?
Ans: Koch's postulates are four rules to prove that a specific microbe causes a specific disease. They are still used in medical microbiology.
Q5: Why scope of microbiology is important?
Ans: Because microorganisms affect every field of life including medicine, industry, agriculture and environment. We cannot ignore them.
Also Read: Size, Shapes and Arrangements of Bacterial Cells
Written by Momina Shehzadi, BS Zoology Graduate from Pakistan.
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