Essentials of Microbiology: Course Overview and Study Guide

Course Introduction

Overview of MBIO 1220: Essentials of Microbiology

This course provides an introduction to the essential principles of microbiology, with a particular focus on immunity and the impact of microorganisms on human health and disease. The course is designed for students in health sciences and related fields, emphasizing both foundational knowledge and clinical applications.

• Credit Hours: 3

• Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:30 – 3:45pm

• Location: Isbister 231

• Instructor: Dr. Madison Egan (she/her)

Course Content and Learning Outcomes

Core Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain the essential principles of microbiology and immunity, with an emphasis on human microbial diseases.

• Describe the structure and function of microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

• Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and their characteristics.

• Explain the mechanisms of microbial growth, metabolism, and control.

• Describe the immune responses that are triggered by microbes and how they help control infection.

• Recall clinically important bacteria, fungi, and viruses and their effects on various organ systems.

Course Topics and Schedule

Main Topics and Associated Textbook Chapters

The course is divided into three main parts, each covering specific aspects of microbiology. The following table summarizes the schedule and textbook readings:

Date	Course Topic	Nester 10th ed. Chapters	Tortora 13th ed. Chapters
Sept. 4	Introduction, course outline, and Humans and the microbial world	1	1
Sept. 9	The molecules of life	2	2
Sept. 11	Microscopy and cell structure	3, 4	3, 4
Sept. 16	Dynamics of microbial growth	5	6
Sept. 18	Control of microbial growth	5	7
Sept. 23	Microbial metabolism: fueling cell growth	6	5
Sept. 25	Microbial metabolism: fueling cell growth (cont.)	6	5
Sept. 30	Origin of life and basics of bacterial genetics	7, 8	8, 9
Oct. 2	Origin of life and basics of bacterial genetics (cont.)	7, 8	8, 9
Oct. 7	Viruses, viroids, and prions	13	13
Oct. 9	Viruses, viroids, and prions (cont.)	13	13
Oct. 14	CATCH UP / REVIEW
Oct. 16	Midterm #1 (in class)
Oct. 21	The innate immune response	16	16
Oct. 23	The adaptive immune response	17	17
Oct. 28	Immunologic disorders	18	18
Oct. 30	Applications of immunology	19	19
Nov. 4	Epidemiology	20	20
Nov. 6	Antimicrobial medications	21	21
Nov. 13	Midterm #2 (in class)
Nov. 18	Respiratory system infections	22	23
Nov. 20	Skin infections	23	24
Nov. 25	Blood and lymphatic system infections	24	25
Nov. 27	Digestive system infections	25	26
Dec. 2	Genitourinary tract infections	26	27
Dec. 4	Cumulative Review	(Parts 1, 2, and 3)	(Parts 1, 2, and 3)

Assessment and Grading

Evaluation Components

• Midterm #1: 25% (Covers Part 1: Introduction, cell structure, growth, and genetics)

• Midterm #2: 25% (Covers Part 2: Immunity and antimicrobial medications)

• Final Exam: 50% (Cumulative, with emphasis on Part 3: Microbial diseases of organ systems)

All exams are multiple-choice and require bubble sheets. The final exam is scheduled by the registrar and is 2 hours in length.

Letter Grade Scale

Letter Grade	Percentage
A+	90.0 – 100%
A	80.0 – 89.9%
B+	75.0 – 79.9%
B	70.0 – 74.9%
C+	65.0 – 69.9%
C	60.0 – 64.9%
D	50.0 – 59.9%
F	49.9% or lower

Key Microbiology Concepts

1. Microbial World and Cell Structure

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. Understanding their structure and function is essential for recognizing their roles in health and disease.

• Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes: Prokaryotes (e.g., bacteria) lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotes (e.g., fungi, protozoa) possess these structures.

• Microscopy: Techniques such as light microscopy and electron microscopy are used to visualize microorganisms.

• Cell Structure: Key components include the cell wall, plasma membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes, and genetic material.

2. Microbial Growth and Metabolism

Microbial growth refers to the increase in the number of cells, while metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions within a microbe.

• Growth Curve: Microbial populations typically exhibit lag, log, stationary, and death phases.

• Metabolic Pathways: Include glycolysis, fermentation, and respiration.

• Control of Growth: Achieved through physical (e.g., heat, filtration) and chemical (e.g., disinfectants, antibiotics) methods.

3. Microbial Genetics

Genetics in microbes involves the study of DNA, gene expression, and genetic variation.

• DNA Replication: The process by which bacteria duplicate their genetic material.

• Gene Transfer: Includes transformation, transduction, and conjugation.

• Mutations: Changes in DNA sequence that can lead to new traits or antibiotic resistance.

4. Viruses, Viroids, and Prions

Viruses are acellular infectious agents that require host cells to replicate. Viroids are infectious RNA molecules, and prions are misfolded proteins causing neurodegenerative diseases.

• Virus Structure: Consists of genetic material (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat (capsid).

• Replication: Involves attachment, penetration, synthesis, assembly, and release.

• Examples: Influenza virus, HIV, prion diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

5. Immunology

The immune system protects the body from infection through innate and adaptive mechanisms.

• Innate Immunity: Non-specific defenses such as skin, mucous membranes, and phagocytic cells.

• Adaptive Immunity: Specific responses involving lymphocytes (B cells and T cells) and the production of antibodies.

• Immunologic Disorders: Include allergies, autoimmune diseases, and immunodeficiencies.

6. Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Medications

Epidemiology is the study of disease distribution and determinants in populations. Antimicrobial medications are used to treat infections caused by microbes.

• Transmission: Direct and indirect methods, including contact, airborne, and vector-borne routes.

• Antibiotics: Drugs that inhibit bacterial growth or kill bacteria. Resistance can develop through genetic changes.

• Example: Penicillin inhibits cell wall synthesis in bacteria.

7. Microbial Diseases of Organ Systems

Microorganisms can cause infections in various organ systems, each with distinct clinical features and treatment approaches.

• Respiratory Infections: e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae causing pneumonia.

• Skin Infections: e.g., Staphylococcus aureus causing boils.

• Blood and Lymphatic Infections: e.g., Plasmodium species causing malaria.

• Digestive System Infections: e.g., Escherichia coli causing gastroenteritis.

• Genitourinary Infections: e.g., Neisseria gonorrhoeae causing gonorrhea.

Course Resources

• UM Learn: Online platform for course materials, lecture slides, and announcements.

• Textbooks: Nester's Microbiology: A Human Perspective (2024 edition) or Tortora, Funke, and Case, Microbiology: An Introduction (11th edition).

Academic Policies and Integrity

• Attendance: Students are responsible for accessing and bringing lecture slides to class.

• Missed Assessments: Must be reported with appropriate documentation.

• Academic Integrity: All students must adhere to university policies regarding academic honesty and plagiarism.

Additional info:

• For more detailed explanations of each topic, refer to the assigned textbook chapters and lecture slides.

• Students are encouraged to participate in class discussions and seek clarification on complex topics.