GENERAL BIOLOGY AND BIOLOGY OF MICROORGANISMS 1Module BIOLOGY OF MICROORGANISMS
Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: FLORIANA CAMPANILEExpected Learning Outcomes
The aim of this course is to give students a perspective on the microbial diversity. In particular, The students will learn basic knowledge on the structure, metabolism and genetics of microorganisms, the role of the factors that influence microbial growth, the principles and the methods for the cultivation and identification of microorganisms.
Course Structure
Frontal teaching.
Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.
Required Prerequisites
Detailed Course Content
History of microbiology. Contributions of microbiology to human health and biotechnology.
First microscopical observations; spontaneous generation theory; concept of transmissible disease, contagion, and infection: concept of immunity against transmissible disease. Microbial genetic and molecular biology development. Precellular evolution and origin of life. Role of microrganism in human evolution. Virus discovery, first vaccines.
Bacterial cell: cell wall in gram-positive and gram-negative: peptidoglycan structure; teichoic acid, proteins and others components. Outer membrane in gram-negative bacteria: function and organization; lipopolisaccarid structure. Cytoplasmic membrane: structure and function. Fimbria and pili as adhesion structures and their antigenicity. Flagella and bacterial movement. Bacterial chromosome organization. Bacterial spore as differentiation condition in bacteria: structure, resistance to physical and chimical agents, regulation of sporulation and germination, biological and medical significance. Bacterial growth: biological significance of growth steps in liquid media; relationship between bacterial growth in vitro and pathogenesis of infections; solid and liquid culture media; isolation in pure culture.
Sterilization and disinfection. Anti- infective drugs. Sterilization and disinfection: biological basis of physical agents action (dry and moist heat, filtration, ultraviolet and ionizing radiations), chemical agents (disinfectants and sterilizing substances).
Genetic regulation. Positive and negative controls. Feedback. Lac operon. Tryptophan regulation. Diauxic curve.
Genetics of bacteria. Mutations. Mechanisms of bacterial transfer: Conjugation, transformation and transduction.
Virus structure and classification. Bacteriofages.
Textbook Information
1) Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi. Microbiologia generale, ambientale e industriale. Pearson Editore.
2) Gianni Dehò e Enrica Galli. Biologia dei microrganismi. Casa editrice Ambrosiana.
Course Planning
Subjects | Text References | |
---|---|---|
1 | Microbiologia: origine ed evoluzione | Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi Gianni Dehò e Enrica Galli. Biologia dei microrganismi. |
2 | L'infinitamente piccolo va osservato per mezzo del microscopio: metodi | Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi |
3 | Natura del mondo microbico: struttura e funzione della cellula procariotica | Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi Gianni Dehò e Enrica Galli. Biologia dei microrganismi. |
4 | Metabolismo microbico: I parte energetica. | Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi Gianni Dehò e Enrica Galli. Biologia dei microrganismi. |
5 | Metabolismo microbico: II parte biosintetica | Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi Gianni Dehò e Enrica Galli. Biologia dei microrganismi. |
6 | Diversità metabolica | Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi Gianni Dehò e Enrica Galli. Biologia dei microrganismi. |
7 | Sviluppo e colture batteriche - La crescita microbica - Influenza dell’ambiente sulla crescita | Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi Gianni Dehò e Enrica Galli. Biologia dei microrganismi. |
8 | I metodi della microbiologia | Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi Gianni Dehò e Enrica Galli. Biologia dei microrganismi. |
9 | Antibiotici | Gianni Dehò e Enrica Galli. Biologia dei microrganismi. |
10 | Regolazione del metabolismo nei procarioti | Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi Gianni Dehò e Enrica Galli. Biologia dei microrganismi. |
11 | La spora batterica, esempio di differenziamento cellulare nei procarioti | Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi Gianni Dehò e Enrica Galli. Biologia dei microrganismi. |
12 | Mutazioni | Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi Gianni Dehò e Enrica Galli. Biologia dei microrganismi. |
13 | Genetica dei microrganismi | Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi Gianni Dehò e Enrica Galli. Biologia dei microrganismi. |
14 | I virus | Brock. Biologia dei microrganismi Gianni Dehò e Enrica Galli. Biologia dei microrganismi. |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Tests in progress
Oral examination
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Describe the main laboratory assays used to determine antibiotic sensitivity.
Describe the main mechanisms of gene regulation.
What is meant by pure culture.
How a vital count is prepared.