Course Overview

This syllabus outlines the major topics covered in the "120:335 General Microbiology" course at Rutgers-Newark, including reading assignments and session dates. The course is based on Microbiology: An Introduction (14th Edition) by Tortora et al., and covers foundational and advanced concepts in microbiology.

Course Structure and Main Topics

Topic Summaries

Microbial Life: What is a Microorganism?

Microorganisms are microscopic living organisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, algae, and viruses. They play essential roles in ecosystems, human health, and biotechnology.

• Definition: Organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye.

• Examples: Escherichia coli (bacterium), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast), influenza virus.

• Applications: Used in fermentation, medicine, environmental processes.

Laboratory Containment Levels

Containment levels refer to safety protocols for handling microorganisms in laboratory settings, classified from Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1) to Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4).

• BSL-1: Minimal risk, standard practices.

• BSL-2: Moderate risk, additional precautions.

• BSL-3: High risk, controlled access, specialized ventilation.

• BSL-4: Maximum risk, full containment, specialized facilities.

Microscopy

Microscopy is the use of microscopes to observe microorganisms. Techniques include brightfield, phase-contrast, fluorescence, and electron microscopy.

• Brightfield Microscopy: Uses visible light to illuminate specimens.

• Electron Microscopy: Uses electron beams for high-resolution imaging.

• Key Equation:

Cell Structure and Function

Microbial cells are classified as prokaryotic or eukaryotic, each with distinct structural features.

• Prokaryotic Cells: Lack a nucleus, have cell walls (e.g., bacteria).

• Eukaryotic Cells: Have a nucleus, organelles (e.g., fungi, protozoa).

• Comparison: Prokaryotes are generally smaller and simpler than eukaryotes.

Microbial Metabolism

Microbial metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions in microorganisms, including catabolism and anabolism.

• Catabolism: Breakdown of molecules to release energy.

• Anabolism: Synthesis of cellular components.

• Key Equation:

Microbial Growth

Microbial growth refers to the increase in cell number, typically measured by population doubling time.

• Growth Phases: Lag, log (exponential), stationary, death.

• Key Equation: where is the final cell number, is the initial cell number, and is the number of generations.

Control of Microbial Growth

Methods to control microbial growth include physical (heat, filtration) and chemical (disinfectants, antibiotics) approaches.

• Sterilization: Complete destruction of all microorganisms.

• Disinfection: Reduction of microbial load on surfaces.

The Bacterial Genome and Microbial Genetics

The bacterial genome consists of a single circular chromosome and sometimes plasmids. Microbial genetics studies DNA replication, transcription, and translation.

• Replication: DNA duplication before cell division.

• Transcription: DNA to RNA synthesis.

• Translation: RNA to protein synthesis.

• Key Equation:

Biotechnology and Recombinant DNA

Biotechnology uses living organisms for practical applications. Recombinant DNA technology involves combining DNA from different sources.

• Applications: Production of insulin, gene therapy, GMOs.

• Key Technique: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplifies DNA sequences.

Classification of Microorganisms

Microorganisms are classified into domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya, based on genetic and structural differences.

• Bacteria: Prokaryotic, diverse metabolic types.

• Archaea: Prokaryotic, often extremophiles.

• Eukarya: Eukaryotic, includes fungi, protozoa, algae.

Viruses

Viruses are acellular infectious agents that require host cells for replication. They can infect prokaryotic (bacteriophages) or eukaryotic cells.

• Structure: Nucleic acid core, protein coat (capsid), sometimes envelope.

• Replication: Attachment, penetration, synthesis, assembly, release.

Disease, Epidemiology, and Pathogenicity

Microbial diseases result from pathogenic microorganisms. Epidemiology studies disease spread, while pathogenicity refers to the ability to cause disease.

• Transmission: Direct, indirect, vector-borne.

• Virulence Factors: Toxins, enzymes, adhesion molecules.

Immunology

Immunology studies the immune system's response to pathogens. Innate immunity is non-specific, while adaptive immunity is specific and has memory.

• Innate Immunity: Physical barriers, phagocytes, inflammation.

• Adaptive Immunity: Antibodies, T cells, immunological memory.

Antimicrobial Drugs

Antimicrobial drugs inhibit or kill microorganisms. Classes include antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics.

• Mechanisms: Inhibition of cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis.

• Example: Penicillin inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis.

Selected Microbial Diseases

Microbial diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Examples include tuberculosis, influenza, malaria.

• Symptoms: Vary by pathogen and host response.

• Prevention: Vaccination, hygiene, antimicrobial therapy.

Environmental Microbiology

Environmental microbiology studies the roles of microorganisms in natural and engineered environments.

• Applications: Waste treatment, bioremediation, nutrient cycling.

• Example: Use of bacteria to degrade oil spills.

Additional info: Some session details and readings were inferred from the syllabus structure and standard microbiology curricula.