What is Microbiology?

Microbiology is a specialized field of biology that deals with living things ordinarily too small to be seen without a magnification. It’s creation was possible for the invention of the microscope, that allows the visualization of structures to small for the human eye.

 

Such microscopic organisms are collectively referred to as microorganisms. Microorganisms are responsible for the majority of degradation and natural recycling of organic matter in the environment. Some synthesize nitrogen-containing compounds that contribute to the nutrition living things.

 

Microbiology considers all aspects of microbial cells, including their structure, metabolism, diversity, genetics and evolution, ecology and roles in infectious diseases. It is composed of several subdisciplines such as microbial medical microbiology, microbial genetics, industrial microbiology and biotechnology.

 

The major groups of microorganisms studying in microbiology are bacteria, archea, protozoa, fungi, viruses and algae.

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1. Ray, C. G., & Ryan, K. J. Sherris medical microbiology: an introduction to infectious diseases. McGraw-Hill, New York; 2010. 3-4.

2. Cowan, Marjorie Kelly. Microbiology: a systems approach. McGraw-Hill, 2012; New York. 2.

3. Sattley, W Matthew and Madigan, Michael T (August 2015) Microbiology. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd: Chichester. DOI: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0000459.pub2.