Microbiology — Foundations of Microbiology + 5 more topics

Microbiology explores organisms that are typically less than 1 millimeter in size. We generally categorize them into several major groups.

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You're dealing with three very different types of organisms here, even though they're all eukaryotes. Let's break them down.

Your immune system is broadly divided into two main categories: innate immunity and adaptive immunity. These aren't completely separate; they work together to protect you.

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Viruses and other acellular agents are fascinating because they blur the line between living and non-living. They lack the cellular structures, metabolic machinery, and independent reproduction of bacteria, fungi, or protozoa.

Controlling microbial growth is essential in healthcare, food preservation, and everyday life to prevent disease and spoilage. We can achieve this in two main ways: sterilization (eliminating all microbes) and disinfection (reducing harmful microbes). The methods used fall into physical or chemical categories, and specific antimicrobial drugs target microbes within living hosts.

Bacteria are prokaryotes, meaning they lack a membrane-bound nucleus and other complex organelles found in eukaryotes. Despite their simplicity, they're incredibly diverse and successful.

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