Microbiology is the science that studies micro-organisms, living beings so small that they can only be seen with the help of microscopes. The development of this branch of Biology began with the invention of microscopes, which made it possible to visualization of these small beings, the understanding of how they behave and the role of each of these organisms in the environment environment. Depending on the microorganism studied, we can subdivide microbiology into virology, bacteriology, protozoology, phycology and mycology.
Read too: Biochemistry — branch of biology that developed with the discovery of DNA
Abstract about microbiology
Microbiology is the science that studies microscopic organisms.
The development of this science is directly related to the development of microscopes.
Leeuwenhoek is considered the father of microbiology.
Depending on the microorganism studied, we can subdivide microbiology into virology (study of viruses), bacteriology (study of bacteria), protozoology (study of protozoa), phycology (study of algae) and mycology (study of fungi).
What is microbiology?
Microbiology (from the Greek mikros, "small"; BIOS, "life"; It is logos, “science”) is the branch of biology responsible for the study of microscopic beingsi.e. microorganisms. In this science, aspects such as physiology, morphology, ecology, taxonomy and evolution of different organisms that cannot be seen by man with the naked eye are investigated.
The invention of the microscope and the study of microbiology
Microbiology is a science that studies organisms that can only be seen with the aid of a microscope. Based on this definition, it is clear that this branch of Biology only emerged and developed after the creation and improvement of this important equipment. However, it is important to point out that since Aancient times it was believed that very small organisms existed, but no one could prove this statement.
There is no consensus as to who was the great inventor of the microscope. Nonetheless, many consider Antony van Leeuwenhoek to be responsible for this invention. Leeuwenhoek was a fabric merchant and used the equipment to check the quality of the products he wanted to buy. He, however, did not use the microscope only to visualize tissues, becoming known for observing different living structures.
Leeuwenhoek reported, for example, that in a droplet he was able to verify the existence of a series of “animalcules”. By describing a series of microscopic structures and microorganisms, Leeuwenhoek is known as the father of microbiology. Their reports enabled the beginning of a series of studies that led us to current knowledge about different microorganisms. In recent years, microbiology has advanced a lot, however there is still a lot of knowledge on the subject to be produced.
See too: Penicillin—a powerful antibiotic accidentally discovered by Alexander Fleming
What living things does microbiology study?
The microorganisms studied by microbiology are:
viruses;
the bacteria;
the protozoans;
the algae;
the fungi.
Areas of study of microbiology
Depending on the microorganism studied, we can subdivide microbiology into virology, bacteriology, protozoology, phycology and mycology.
→ virology
It is a branch of microbiology that study viruses. Viruses are acellular organisms, meaning they do not have a cell. These living beings are not capable of reproducing themselves, needing a host cell for this, which is why they are called obligate intracellular parasites.
Some viruses can cause disease in humans, these diseases being called viruses. Examples of viruses are measles, rubella, herpes, mumps, chickenpox, flu, covid-19, polio, rabies, smallpox, yellow fever, dengue, hepatitis and aids.
→ Bacteriology
It is a branch of microbiology that study the bacteria. Bacteria are prokaryotic organisms, that is, they do not have a true nucleus, and unicellular, which have only one cell. The bacteria are microorganisms that are of great economic and environmental importance..
Along with fungi, bacteria are responsible for the decomposition process. In addition, they aid in the digestion of ruminants and participate in the nitrogen cycle, absorbing this element directly from the air.
With regard to its economic importance, we cannot fail to mention its pharmaceutical use, in the cosmetics industry and even in our food. Nonetheless, Bacteria are also responsible for causing disease., such as botulism, diarrhoea, cholera, leprosy, syphilis and gonorrhea.
→ Protozoology
It is a branch of microbiology that studies the protozoans. Protozoa are unicellular, eukaryotic organisms (they have a true nucleus) that do not have chlorophyll, therefore not carrying out photosynthesis.
One way of classifying protozoa is using the way in which these organisms move as a criterion. Among the forms of locomotion, those carried out by means of flagella, cilia and pseudopods stand out.
Protozoans participate in the food chains of the ecosystems in which they are inserted and are known as good indicators of water quality. Some species can cause diseases, such as amoebiasis, Chagas disease, giardiasis, leishmaniasis, malaria and toxoplasmosis.
→ phycology
It is a branch of microbiology that studies algae. Algae are photosynthetic, eukaryotic organisms that can have one (unicellular) or more cells (multicellular). From an ecological point of view, algae are important for maintaining oxygen levels, participate in food chains and are excellent environmental indicators. Economically, algae have different uses, which can be used in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
→ Mycology
It is a branch of microbiology that study the fungi. Fungi are eukaryotic organisms, which can be unicellular or multicellular and that feed by absorption, not having chlorophyll in their body. Fungi participate, along with bacteria, in the decomposition of organic matter in the environment. With regard to economic importance, fungi are known to be used in food, beverage production and pharmaceutical industry.
Importance of microbiology
The study of microscopic beings is extremely important to understand different processes that occur in nature, such as nutrient cycling. It also helps to understand how some diseases occur in our body and in what ways we can treat them, since several microorganisms are pathogenic.
Microbiology has also allowed the economic use of different microorganisms, which today are used, for example, in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries.
By Vanessa Sardinha dos Santos
Biology teacher
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/biologia/microbiologia.htm
