Welcome to Biology 140

Fundamentals of Microbiology
Introduction to the biology of bacterial and
archaeal organisms. Topics include microbial
cell structure and function, methods of
cultivation, genetics, phylogeny and
taxonomy, and metabolic and genetic
diversity.

Other Microbiology Courses at

Waterloo

Biology 241 Introduction to Applied Microbiology

Biology 345 Microorganisms in Foods
Biology 348L Laboratory Methods in Microbiology
Biology 431 Bacterial Molecular Genetics
Biology 442 Virology
Biology 443 Fermentation Biotechnology
Biology 444 Microorganisms and Disease
Biology 446 Microbial Ecology
Biology 447 Environmental Microbiology
Biology 448 Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry
Biology 449 Public Health Microbiology (beginning W06)
Biology 474 Bioprocessing
Biology 475 Current Topics in Applied Microbiology

Biology 140: Fundamentals of Microbiology

Dr. Trevor C. Charles, B1 Rm 377C
ext. 5606, tcharles@uwaterloo.ca
Textbook:
Madigan, M.T., Martinko, J.M. 2006. Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 11 th ed.
Prentice Hall. You can also use the 10th edition.
available at UW bookstore
Biol 140L (related lab course): begins 2nd week of classes
Instructor: Dr. C.L. Duxbury, ESC Rm 357F, ext. 6450, cduxbury@uwaterloo.ca
Lab Manual available at UW bookstore
WHMIS required; lab coat required
Biol 140L exam (1 h) will be scheduled by the Registrar
Biol 140 web page:
page accessible from UW home page or Science home page
notes, Powerpoint presentation files, course information

Course marks:
midterm exam:
final exam:

30%
70%
100%

midterm exam: Thursday Oct 26th, 5:45 6:45 p.m. (tentative until rooms are scheduled)
final exam: will be scheduled by the Registrar (2.5 h)
exam format will be multiple choice, matching, true-or-false questions
Supplementary resources: On Reserve, Davis Library
Prescott, L.M., Harley, J.P., Klein, D.A. 2005. Microbiology, 6 th ed. McGraw-Hill.
Salyers, A.A., Whitt, D.D. 2001. Microbiology: diversity, disease and the
environment. Fitzgerald Science Press.
Perry, J.J., Staley, J.T., Lory, S. 2002. Microbial Life. Sinauer Associates.
also a copy of Madigan et al.

Lecture 1

1.1 Microbiology
1.2 Microorganisms as Cells
1.3 Microorganism and Their Natural
Environments
1.4 The Impact of Microorganisms on
Humans

What is Microbiology?
The science of microorganisms (very small,
unicellular organisms)
The discipline is just over a century old
Has given rise to molecular biology and
biotechnology

What are Microbes?

Root Nodule

Bacteroids within Root Nodule

Why study Microbiology?

Microorganisms were the first life on earth
Microorganisms created the biosphere that allowed
multicellular organisms to evolve
Multicellular organisms evolved from
microorganisms
>50% of the biomass on earth is comprised of
microorganisms
Microorganisms will be on earth forever

First microorganisms?

Cyanobacterial microfossils
(oxygenic photosynthesis)

Earth formed

4.5

4.0

No free O2
Reducing environment

3.5

3.0

2.5

Formation of
O2
atmosphere

2.0

1.5

Billion Years Ago

algae,
marine invertebrates

1.0

0.5

insects
mammals

Why study Microbiology?

Our understanding of life has arisen largely
from studies of microorganisms
(biochemistry and genetics)
Studies of microorganisms continue to
contribute to fundamental knowledge of life
processes
We still know very little about the
microorganisms that are present on Earth

Why study Microbiology?

Health
Agriculture
Food
Environment

impact of microorganisms on human affairs:

Infectious diseases are no longer the leading cause of death in North America, due to the
development and use of antimicrobial agents, and improved sanitary practices.