BIO 175: Principles of Microbiology – Course Syllabus and Study Guide

Course Overview

This course, BIO 175: Principles of Microbiology, provides a comprehensive introduction to microbiology with a focus on microorganisms and their role in human disease. The curriculum covers fundamental concepts in microbial structure, genetics, growth, control, pathogenicity, immunity, and applied microbiology. The course is designed for college students preparing for further studies in biology, health sciences, or related fields.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Bacterial Structure and Function: Understand the anatomy of prokaryotic cells, including their unique features and physiological roles.

• Microbial Growth and Cultivation: Describe the requirements and methods for cultivating microorganisms and analyzing their growth patterns.

• Microbial Genetics: Explain nucleic acid structure, gene expression, mutations, recombination, and viral genetics.

• Control of Microorganisms: Evaluate physical and chemical methods for controlling microbial populations, including sterilization, disinfection, and chemotherapy.

• Pathogenicity and Virulence: Identify factors that contribute to the ability of microorganisms to cause disease.

• Host Resistance and Immunity: Summarize mechanisms of natural resistance, inflammation, and the immune response.

• Immunology: Discuss the immune system, its components, specific responses to antigens, immunological disorders, and advances in immunology.

Course Topics and Chapter Alignment

The following topics are covered, corresponding to chapters in the required textbook Microbiology, an Introduction by Tortora, Funke, and Case (14th edition):

• Ch. 1: The Microbial World and You

• Ch. 2: Chemical Principles

• Ch. 3: Observing Microorganisms Through a Microscope

• Ch. 4: Functional Anatomy of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

• Ch. 5: Microbial Metabolism

• Ch. 6: Microbial Growth

• Ch. 7: The Control of Microbial Growth

• Ch. 8: Microbial Genetics

• Ch. 9: Biotechnology & DNA Technology

• Ch. 10: Classification of Microorganisms

• Ch. 11: The Prokaryotes: Domains Bacteria and Archaea

• Ch. 12: The Eukaryotes: Fungi, Algae, Protozoa, and Helminths

• Ch. 13: Viruses, Viroids, and Prions

• Ch. 14: Principles of Disease and Epidemiology

• Ch. 15: Microbial Mechanisms of Pathogenicity

• Ch. 16: Innate Immunity: Nonspecific Defenses of the Host

• Ch. 17: Adaptive Immunity: Specific Defenses of the Host

• Ch. 18: Practical Applications of Immunology

• Ch. 19: Disorders Associated with the Immune System

• Ch. 20: Antimicrobial Drugs

• Ch. 21-26: Microbial Diseases of Organ Systems

• Ch. 27: Environmental Microbiology

• Ch. 28: Applied and Industrial Microbiology

Key Topics and Concepts

Functional Anatomy of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells (Ch. 4)

Understanding the structure and function of microbial cells is fundamental to microbiology. Prokaryotic cells (bacteria and archaea) differ significantly from eukaryotic cells (fungi, protozoa, algae, and helminths) in their organization and complexity.

• Prokaryotic Cell Features: Lack a nucleus, have a single circular chromosome, possess cell walls (often peptidoglycan in bacteria), and may have structures such as flagella, pili, and capsules.

• Eukaryotic Cell Features: Have a true nucleus, multiple linear chromosomes, membrane-bound organelles (mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, etc.), and more complex internal structures.

• Example: Escherichia coli is a model prokaryote; Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a model eukaryote.

Microbial Growth and Cultivation (Ch. 6)

Microbial growth refers to the increase in the number of cells, not cell size. Cultivation involves providing appropriate nutrients and environmental conditions for growth.

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

• Population Growth Equation:

$N = N_0 \times 2^n$ Where $N$ = final cell number, $N_0$ = initial cell number, $n$ = number of generations.

• Example: Bacterial cultures in nutrient broth exhibit characteristic growth curves when measured by optical density.

Microbial Metabolism (Ch. 5)

Metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions in a cell, including catabolism (breakdown) and anabolism (synthesis).

• Enzymes: Biological catalysts that speed up reactions by lowering activation energy.

• ATP: The main energy currency of the cell, produced via glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.

• Example: Fermentation in Lactobacillus produces lactic acid from glucose.

Microbial Genetics (Ch. 8)

Microbial genetics studies the structure, function, and transmission of genetic material in microorganisms.

• DNA Structure: Double helix composed of nucleotides (A, T, G, C).

• Gene Expression: Transcription (DNA to RNA) and translation (RNA to protein).

• Mutations: Changes in DNA sequence that can affect phenotype.

• Genetic Recombination: Exchange of genetic material, such as transformation, transduction, and conjugation.

• Example: Antibiotic resistance genes can be transferred between bacteria via plasmids.

Viruses, Viroids, and Prions (Ch. 13)

Viruses are acellular infectious agents that require host cells for replication. Viroids and prions are simpler infectious agents affecting plants and animals, respectively.

• Virus Structure: Nucleic acid core (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat (capsid); some have lipid envelopes.

• Replication: Attachment, penetration, biosynthesis, maturation, and release.

• Example: Influenza virus causes seasonal flu; prions cause diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

The Control of Microbial Growth (Ch. 7, 20)

Controlling microbial growth is essential in healthcare, food production, and laboratory settings.

• Physical Methods: Heat (autoclaving, pasteurization), filtration, radiation.

• Chemical Methods: Disinfectants, antiseptics, antibiotics.

• Antimicrobial Drugs: Compounds that inhibit or kill microorganisms; mechanisms include inhibition of cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, and metabolic pathways.

• Example: Penicillin inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis.

Immunity and Host Defenses (Ch. 16, 17, 19)

The immune system protects the host from infection through innate (nonspecific) and adaptive (specific) mechanisms.

• Innate Immunity: Physical barriers (skin, mucous membranes), phagocytes, inflammation, complement system.

• Adaptive Immunity: Humoral (antibody-mediated) and cell-mediated responses involving B and T lymphocytes.

• Immunological Disorders: Hypersensitivity, immunodeficiency, autoimmune diseases.

• Example: Vaccination induces adaptive immunity against specific pathogens.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology (Ch. 27, 28)

Microorganisms play vital roles in environmental processes and industrial applications.

• Wastewater Microbiology: Microbes are used in sewage treatment to degrade organic matter and reduce pollution.

• Industrial Microbiology: Production of antibiotics, enzymes, biofuels, and fermented foods.

• Example: Streptomyces species are used in the commercial production of antibiotics.

Sample Course Schedule (Selected Topics)

Date	Topic	Chapter
Aug 18	Introduction, Course Overview, Prokaryotic Features	Ch. 4
Aug 20	Bacterial Structures	Ch. 4
Sep 01	Microbial Growth and Cultivation	Ch. 6
Sep 08	Enzymes and their Regulation	Ch. 5
Sep 10	Gene Replication & Gene Expression	Ch. 8
Sep 24	Viruses: Structure and Replication	Ch. 13
Oct 08	Physical Control of Microorganisms	Ch. 7
Oct 20	Antimicrobic Chemotherapy	Ch. 20
Oct 22	Microbial Methods of Pathogenicity – Invasiveness	Ch. 15
Nov 05	The Immune System	Ch. 17
Nov 24	Wastewater Microbiology and Sewage Treatment	Ch. 27
Dec 03	Applied Industrial Microbiology	Ch. 28

Assessment and Grading

• Lecture Tests: 4 tests, 70% of overall grade

• Laboratory Grade: 20% of overall grade

• Mastering Microbiology Assignments: 10% of overall grade

• Grading Scale:

  • A = 90-100

  • B = 80-89

  • C = 70-79

  • D = 60-69

  • F = Below 60

Required Materials

• Textbook: Microbiology, an Introduction (14th ed.) by Tortora, Funke, and Case

• Lab Manual: Symbiosis Lab Manual

• Software: Access to Mastering Microbiology

Additional Academic Information

• Academic Integrity: Plagiarism and unauthorized use of AI tools are prohibited without instructor permission.

• Attendance: Regular participation is required; online students must submit assignments regularly to remain enrolled.

• Accessibility: Accommodations are available for students with disabilities.

Summary Table: Major Microbiology Themes

Main Topic	Key Concepts	Example/Application
Cell Structure	Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic, organelles, cell wall	E. coli (prokaryote), S. cerevisiae (eukaryote)
Growth & Metabolism	Growth curves, enzymes, ATP production	Bacterial fermentation
Genetics	DNA/RNA, gene expression, mutation, recombination	Antibiotic resistance transfer
Pathogenicity	Virulence factors, disease mechanisms	Toxin production by Clostridium
Immunity	Innate and adaptive responses, immunological disorders	Vaccination
Applied Microbiology	Environmental, industrial uses	Wastewater treatment, antibiotic production

Additional info: This study guide is based on the course syllabus and schedule, providing a structured overview of the main microbiology topics relevant for exam preparation and further study.