WHAT IS MICROBIOLOGY...???

Actually this should have been my first post but never the less. I am sharing this so that many would know what is MICROBIOLOGY.

             

         Microbiology is the study of living organism about microscopic size, which includes bacteria, fungi, algae  protozoa and the infectious agents at the borderline of life that are called as viruses. The field is concerned with their form, structure, classification, metabolism, physiology and their distribution in environment.  To relate each of organism with each other, with environment, with other species and of-course with plants, animals and humans. The field  notes the physical, chemical and biological changes in environment.

          Microorganism have a major role to play with human health and its welfare. When various organism are taken into consideration, some organisms have beneficial effect while some have harmful effect. Organisms which are involved in making of cheese, beer, wine, vinegar, antibiotic production, curd etc are beneficial organisms. While microorganism which are responsible for food spoilage, diseases or deteriorating things like iron pipes, lenses, wood etc are harmful organisms.

         Most of microorganisms are unicellular i.e. one single cell. All the metabolism, processes for living are performed by a single cell.When compared to any multicellular organism, they have different organs and tissues which are specific for various functions. Thus one cell is capable of performing all activities necessary for its survival. Thus complexity in cell functioning is too high.

         The word cell was first used more than two centuries ago by an Englishman ROBERT HOOKE ( 1635-1703 ). Later the concept of the cell as the structural unit of life - The Cell Theory_ is credited to two Germans _ MATTHIAS SCHLEIDEN & THEODOR SCHWANN, who in 1838-1839 describe cells as the basic structural and functional unit of all organisms.

          Any kind of organisms may be present, either unicellular or multicellular, all biological system have the following characteristics in common- 1. The ability to reproduce, 2. The ability to ingest or assimilate food substances and metabolize them for energy and growth, 3.The ability to excrete waste products, 4. The ability to react to changes in the environment and 5. Susceptibility to mutation.

         Thus, a microbiologist work is large and on many parameters. As it is said "THE NEXT SMALL THING IS BIG"...!!!