WHAT IS

MICROBIOLOGY?

Microbiology is the The two major categories

study of microbes.
Individual microbes
can be observed only
with the use of various
types of microscopes.
of microbes are called
acellular microbes (also
called infectious particles)
and cellular microbes
(also called
microorganisms).

Acellular microbes include
viruses and prions.
Cellular microbes include
all bacteria, all archaea,
some algae, all protozoa,
and some fungi.
The DNA (genetic material) of
prokaryotes is usually a single,
circularly arranged
chromosome and is not
surrounded by a membrane
In nature, most bacteria are
found sticking to solid surfaces,
including other cells, rather
than free-floating.
The glycocalyx is the glue that
holds the cells in place.

Plants and animals are

entirely composed of The DNA of eukaryotes is
Despite their complexity and variety, all found in multiple
living cells can be classified into two eukaryotic cells. In the
chromosomes in a
groups, prokaryotes and eukaryotes, microbial world, bacteria membrane-enclosed
based on certain structural and and archaea are nucleus.
functional characteristics. In general, prokaryotes.
prokaryotes are structurally simpler
and smaller than eukaryotes.

Other cellular microbes—fungi

(yeasts and molds), protozoa, and
algae—are eukaryotes. Both
eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
can have a sticky glycocalyx
surrounding them.

PROKARYOTIC & EUKARYOTIC

CELL

BACTERIA
(singular: bacterium) are relatively
simple, single celled
(unicellular) organisms. Because
their genetic material is not
enclosed in a special nuclear
membrane, bacterial cells are called
prokaryotes (pro¯-KAR e-o¯ts),
from Greek words meaning pre-
nucleus. Prokaryotes include both
bacteria and archaea.
VIRUSES are very different from
the other microbial
groups. They are so small that most
can be seen only with an electron
microscope, and they are acellular
(that is, they are not cells).
Structurally very simple, a virus
particle contains a core made of
only one type of nucleic acid, either
DNA or RNA.
ARCHAE
A
MICROORGANISMS
ARCHAEA
Like bacteria, archaea (ar-KE¯ -ah) consist
of prokaryotic cells, but if they have cell
walls, the walls lack peptidoglycan.
Archaea are divided into three main groups.
The methanogens produce methane as a
waste product from respiration. The
extreme halophiles (halo = salt; philic =
loving) live in extremely salty
environments.The extreme thermophiles
(therm = heat) live in hot sulfurous water,
PROTOZOA (singular: protozoan)
are unicellular eukaryotic microbes
Protozoa move by pseudopods, flagella,
or cilia. Protozoa have a variety of
shapes and live either as free entities or
as parasites (organisms that derive
nutrients from living hosts) that absorb
or ingest organic compounds from their
environment. Protozoa can reproduce
sexually
or asexually.
FUNGI
Fungi (singular: fungus) are
eukaryotes (u¯-KAR-e¯-o¯ts),
organisms whose cells have a
distinct nucleus containing the
cell’s genetic material (DNA),
surrounded by a special envelope
called the nuclear membrane.
Organisms in the Kingdom Fungi
may be unicellular or multicellular
ALGAE (singular: alga) are
photosynthetic eukaryotes with a
wide variety of shapes and both
sexual and asexual reproductive
Forms. The algae of interest to
microbiologists are usually
unicellular Algae are abundant
in freshwater and saltwater, in
soil, and in association with
plants.
 Prokaryotic organisms in the Domain Archaea were discovered in 1977.
Although they were once referred to as archaebacteria (or archaebacteria),
most scientists now feel that there are sufficient differences between archaea
and bacteria to stop referring to archaea as bacteria. Archae means “ancient,”
and the name archaea was originally assigned when it was thought that these
prokaryotes evolved earlier than bacteria. Genetically, even though they are
prokaryotes, archaea are more closely related to eukaryotes than they are to
bacteria; some possess genes otherwise found only in eukaryotes.

PARTS FUNCTION
GLYCOCALYX (PINK A coating or layer of molecules external to the cell wall. It serves
COATING) protective, adhesive, and receptor functions. It may fit tightly or be
very loose and diffuse.
BACTERIAL Composed of condensed DNA molecules. DNA directs all genetics
CHROMOSOME OR and heredity of the cell and codes for all proteins.
NUCLEOID
PILUS An elongate, hollow appendage used in transfers of DNA to other
cells.
PLASMID Double-stranded DNA circle containing extra genes.
RIBOSOMES Tiny particles composed of protein and RNA that are the sites of
protein synthesis.
ACTIN Long fibers of proteins that encircle the cell just inside the cell
CYTOSKELETON membrane and contribute to the shape of the cell.
FLAGELLUM Specialized appendage attached to the cell by a basal body that holds
a long, rotating filament. The movement pushes the cell forward and
provides motility.
FIMBRIAE Fine, hair like bristles extending from the cell surface that help in
adhesion to other cells and surfaces.
INCLUSION/GRANULE Stored nutrients such as fat, phosphate, or glycogen deposited in
dense crystals or particles that can be tapped into when needed.
CELL WALL A semirigid casing that provides structural support and shape for the
cell.
CELL A thin sheet of lipid and protein that surrounds the cytoplasm and
(CYTOPLASMIC) controls the flow of materials into and out of the cell pool.
MEMBRANE
 ENDOSPORE (NOT Dormant body formed within some bacteria that allows for their
SHOWN) survival in adverse conditions.

CYTOPLASM Water-based solution filling the entire cell.

OUTER MEMBRANE Extra membrane similar to cell membrane but also containing
lipopolysaccharide. Controls
Flow of materials, and portions of it are toxic to mammals when
released.

IN PLANT CELL ONLY

VACUOLE Temporary storage and transport, digestion (food vacuoles), water balance
(contractile vacuole)
CELL WALL Strengthen and give shape to the cell
CHLOROPLAST Photosynthesis—trapping light energy and formation of carbohydrate from CO2
and water
IN ANIMAL CELL ONLY
CENTROSOME Located near the nucleus, consists of two components: the pericentriolar area
and centrioles
CENTRIOLE Nine triplet microtubules involved in formation of the mitotic spindle and
microtubules.
PERICENTRIOLAR This area is the organizing center for the mitotic spindle, which plays a critical
MATERIAL role in cell division, and for microtubule formation in nondividing cells.
Intracellular digestion; they contain as many as 40 different kinds of digestive
LYSOSOME enzymes capable of breaking down various molecules. These enzymes can also
digest bacteria that enter the cell.
The basal body is composed of a small central rod inserted into a series of rings
BASAL BODY which anchors the flagellum to the cell wall and plasma membrane
FLAGELLUM Projections that are used for cellular locomotion or for moving substances along
the surface of the cell.
IN PLANT AND ANIMAL CELLS
PEROXISOME Peroxisomes contain one or more enzymes that can oxidize various organic
substances.
NUCLEUS Repository for genetic information, control center for cell
NUCLEOLUS Ribosomal RNA synthesis, ribosome construction
ROUGH A factory for synthesizing secretory proteins and membrane molecules.
ENDOPLASMIC
RETICULUM
SMOOTH Synthesize phospholipids, as does rough ER. Smooth ER also synthesizes fats
ENDOPLASMIC and steroids, such as estrogens and testosterone.
RETICULUM
Long, hollow tubes made up of a protein called tubulin. Other than support,
MICROTUBULE organelle movement, and cell division, microtubules also play a part in forming
large structures on the outside of the cells.
MICROFILAMENT Cell structure and movements, form the cytoskeleton
MITOCHONDRION Energy production through use of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, electron transport,
oxidative phosphorylation, and other pathways
PLASMA Mechanical cell boundary, selectively permeable barrier with transport systems,
MEMBRANE mediates cell-cell interactions and adhesion to surfaces, secretion
RIBOSOME Sites of protein synthesis in the cell.
The cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells encompasses the substance inside the plasma
CYTOPLASM membrane and outside the nucleus. It is the environment for other organelles,
location of many metabolic processes
GOLGI COMPLEX Packaging and secretion of materials for various purposes, lysosome formation
 Micro
Biology
CELLULAR
STRUCTURES AND
FUNCTIONS
EUKARYOTE
PROKARYOTE
ARCHAEA
CONTENTS
EUKARYOTE
 PROKARYOTE
ARCHAEA

Microbiology
CELLULAR
STRUCTURES
AND
FUNCTIONS
Microbiology
CELLULAR
STRUCTURES
AND
FUNCTIONS