Microbiology is the study of the microscopic forms of life. Microbiological tests are common in medicine, because many human diseases are caused by microscopic
organisms.
Microorganisms can also benefit humans. Yeast (a microscopic fungus) is used in the fermentation process. Plasmid
vectors from
bacteria are an important part of medicine and medical research. Many other microorganisms also help to decompose and recycle waste materials in the environment.
The following are some important microbiological terms:
Microbe
- microorganism that can only be seen through the microscope
Pathogen
Virulence
Cyst
- dormant (inactive) form of a pathogen that is resistant to adverse conditions
Host
- provides support for the growth of a microbe
Normal flora
- microbes normally found in a particular area of body
- e.g. E. coli is part of the normal flora of the large intestine
Opportunistic organisms
- normal flora that cause infection because:
- they have escaped their particular area or
- conditions have changed (e.g. change in pH)
- e.g. E. coli escapes the large intestine and invades the stomach
Nosocomial organisms
- infection acquired in hospital
- e.g. staphylococcus infection
There are four different types of
microbes that are important to human disease:
protozoa,
fungi,
viruses and
bacteria.
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1 - Anatomy and Physiology Basics