MICR 130 - General Microbiology

Course Description

An introductory course to the world of microorganisms, with emphasis on bacteria, but including algae, fungi, protozoa, and viruses; their structure, growth and development, reproduction, and classification; and, their effects on people and their environment. Also included are selected topics in medical microbiology, immunology, and applied microbiology including food, industrial, sanitation, and public health microbiology.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of MICR 130, the student will be able to:

  • Describe the contributions of the doctors and scientists who contributed to the establishment of the field of Microbiology.
  • Identify some of the important scientific fields that require a knowledge of Microbiology.
  • Categorize the major types of microscopes and demonstrate the basic rule of microscope design: the importance of resolution or resolving power.
  • Define the following terms: atoms, ions, covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds, chemical formulas v. structural formulas, chemical names v. common names.
  • Demonstrate the polymeric nature of macromolecules and identify the basic subunits of those polymers.
  • Identify examples of representative carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Also, define the three major differences between DNA and RNA and explain their involvement in protein synthesis.
  • Define the functions of ATP and reduced NAD as sources of cellular energy.
  • Demonstrate the function of enzymes within the cell.
  • Illustrate the process of the aerobic respiration of glucose to demonstrate how one molecule of glucose can yield 38 ATPs worth of energy.
  • Differentiate between fermentation v. anaerobic respiration v. aerobic respiration.
  • Describe all the differences between Procaryotlc and Eucaryotlc cells.
  • Discuss the evolution of the eucaryotic cell by the Endosymbiotic Theory and all of the evidence for the theory.
  • Explain the differences between Gram + and Gram - cells as well as the structure of peptidoglycan.
  • Define basic terms in classical genetics and demonstrate the end results of mitosis and meiosis.
  • Compare the mechanisms of transformation, transduction, and conjugation in bacterial genetics.
  • Compare the cloning of genes via recombinant DNA technology an PCR technology, as well as explain the production of human proteins by genetically engineered cells.
  • Detail the coarse control mechanisms of the induction/repression of enzyme synthesis and the fine control mechanism of negative feedback inhibition.
  • Identify all of the components necessary in the nutrition of microorganisms as well as the classification of the various nutritional categories of micro-organisms.
  • Define the growth of micro-organisms and compare the various methods for measuring the growth of m/os. Demonstrate the resulting population growth curve.
  • Designate the major classes of algae and compare their characteristics. Compare the basic difference between Photosynthesis by the photosynthetic bacteria as opposed to that of the cyanobacteria and green plants.
  • Discuss some of the health problems that result from the growth of some algae, like the "red tide" and Pfiesteria blooms.
  • Organize the protozoa into their major categories and discuss their differences and evolutionary relationships.
  • Describe some of the well known protozoan diseases of the human body including African sleeping sickness and malaria.
  • Organize the Fungi into their major categories and discuss their differences.
  • Compare the differences between the superficial mycoses and the deep, systemic mycoses as well as list some examples of each type.
  • Describe the reason why protozoan and deep mycotic infections are so difficult to treat.
  • Identify the characteristics of the Rickettsias and Chlamydias and discuss how they are similar and how they differ. In addition, describe some of the best known diseases caused by these bacteria.
  • Identify many of the common bacterial diseases that afflict humans and outline the causative agents, symptoms, treatments, prophylaxes, and epidemiology of each one.
  • Define what is a virus and the components which make up a viral particle. Demonstrate why viruses are kingdom specific. Explain the lytic cycle of the virulent phages and the lysogenic cycle of the temperate phages.
  • Become familiar with some of the common viral diseases that afflict humans.
  • Identify some of the characteristics of cancer cells and how these abnormal cells differ from normal cells of the body.
  • Describe the proto-oncogene theory for the origins of the oncogenic viruses.
  • Identify some of the common carcinogenic agents found in the foods that we eat.
  • Discuss the nature of the normal flora of the human body and where these m/os originate.
  • Describe examples of why the normal flora is beneficial to the body.
  • Contrast the various mechanisms of invasiveness into the body through various portals of entry. Compare the differences between Exotoxins and Endotoxins produced by different bacteria.
  • Organize the 5 classes of leukocytes (wbcs) found in human blood and discuss the functions of each class. Also, define the lymphatic system of the body and discuss its importance In terms of function.
  • Designate the functions of the First, Second and Third Lines of defense of the human body.
  • List five examples of mechanical external barriers and five examples of chemical external barriers. Discuss the mechanism of the inflammatory response and compare the functions of this response with the generalized phagocytic response.
  • Define the organs of the RE System and discuss the function of the RE System in the defense of the body.
  • Compare the concept of the Non-specific immune responses of the body to the Specific immune responses of the body.
  • Describe the B-system of immunity (humoral immunity) of the body In terms of the definition of an antibody (Ab) and how the Abs are classified according to their structural differences and their functional differences. Detail how Abs are produced by the body
  • Describe the T-system of Immunity (cell mediated immunity or CMI) of the body. Detail how effector T-lymphocytes are produced by the body. Explain some of the major CMI activities of the body and how they protect you from different pathogens and cancers.
  • Define the nature of allergic responses of the body and compare the Type I hypersensitivities with the Type IV hypersensitivities. Also compare the differences between cutaneous localized anaphylactic responses as opposed to generalized systemic anaphylactic responses.
  • Describe some examples of Type IV hypersensitivity responses.
  • Describe the theory behind the development of "self-recognition" or "self-tolerance" of auto-antigens, and how a failure in the development can result in autoimmune (AI) disorders and diseases.
  • Compare the 4 different types of transplants or grafts into the human body and discuss the nature of rejection of transplanted tissues or organs. Discuss the graft v. host response.
    Discuss the nature of blood group antigens (ABO System and Rh System) in terms of antigens and antibodies.