{"id":49,"date":"2023-01-19T12:17:39","date_gmt":"2023-01-19T17:17:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=49"},"modified":"2023-04-03T14:33:00","modified_gmt":"2023-04-03T18:33:00","slug":"fungi","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/chapter\/fungi\/","title":{"raw":"Unit 1.1 Introduction to Microbiology","rendered":"Unit 1.1 Introduction to Microbiology"},"content":{"raw":"<div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div>\r\n<h1>Unit 1.1\u00a0 Introduction to Microbiology<\/h1>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h5>Outline<\/h5>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"#PM\">Prokaryotic Microorganisms<\/a>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"#B\">Bacteria<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"#Arch\">Archaea<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"#Euk\">Eukaryotic Microorganisms<\/a>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"#Alg\">Algae<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"#Proto\">Protozoa<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"#Fun\">Fungi<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"#Multi\">Multicellular Animal Parasites<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"#Vir\">Viruses<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div><\/div>\r\n<div><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h5>Learning Objectives<\/h5>\r\nAfter reading the following, you should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Be able to define the terms microbiology, microorganism and pathogen.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Be able to give examples of the non-pathogenic roles that microorganism play.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Be able to name the different types of microorganisms discussed in this course.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\nFrom boiling thermal hot springs to deep beneath the Antarctic ice, microorganisms can be found almost everywhere on earth in great quantities. Microorganisms or microbes, as they are also called) are small organisms. Most are so small that they cannot be seen without a microscope and the study of these organisms is known as Microbiology.\r\n\r\nMost microorganisms are harmless to humans and, in fact, many are helpful. They play fundamental roles in ecosystems everywhere on earth, forming the backbone of many food webs. People use them to make biofuels, medicines, and even foods. Without microbes, there would be no bread, cheese, or beer. Our bodies are filled with microbes, and our skin alone is home to trillions of them. Some of them we can\u2019t live without; others are pathogens that cause diseases that can make us sick or even kill us.\r\n\r\nAlthough much more is known today about microbial life than ever before, the vast majority of this invisible world remains unexplored. Microbiologists continue to identify new ways that microbes benefit and threaten humans. In this course we will be discussing several different categories of microorganism. These can be separated in to two broad categories: Prokaryotic microorganisms and Eukaryotic microorganisms, which will be discussed in greater detail in Unit 2.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2><strong><a id=\"PM\"><\/a>Prokaryotic Microorganisms<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<strong><a id=\"B\"><\/a>Bacteria<\/strong>\r\n\r\nBacteria are single celled microbes that are found in nearly every habitat on earth, including within and on humans. Bacteria are prokaryotic because their genetic material (DNA) is not housed within a true nucleus. Most bacteria are harmless or helpful, but some are pathogens, causing disease in humans and other animals.\r\n\r\nMost bacteria have cell walls that contain peptidoglycan. They have a wide range of metabolisms and can grow in a variety of environments, using different combinations of nutrients. Some bacteria are photosynthetic, producing oxygen. Other types of bacteria are non-photosynthetic, obtaining their energy from organic or inorganic compounds in their environment. Environmentally, they play a major role in decomposition, nitrogen fixation and are the foundation of many food webs. In our bodies, non-pathogenic bacteria are involved in a number of processes, such as the production of vitamin K and making feces brown.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_143\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"463\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture1-2.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-143\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture1-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"463\" height=\"230\" \/><\/a> Figure 1.1 (a) This TEM image of cells in a biofilm shows well-defined internal structures of the cells because of varying levels of opacity in the specimen. (b) This color-enhanced SEM image of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus structure of cells. (credit a: modification of work by American Society for Microbiology; credit b: modification of work by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<strong><a id=\"Arch\"><\/a>Archaea<\/strong>\r\n\r\nArchaea are also unicellular prokaryotic organisms. Archaea and bacteria have different evolutionary histories, as well as significant differences in genetics, metabolic pathways, and the composition of their cell walls and membranes. Unlike most bacteria, archaeal cell walls do not contain peptidoglycan, but their cell walls are often composed of a similar substance called pseudopeptidoglycan. Like bacteria, archaea are found in nearly every habitat on earth, even extreme environments that are very cold, very hot, very basic, or very acidic, which are too hostile for other types of organism to survive in (Figure 1.2). Some archaea live in the human body, but none have been shown to be human pathogens.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_136\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"407\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture1-1.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-136\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture1-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"407\" height=\"216\" \/><\/a> Figure 1.2 Some archaea live in extreme environments, such as the Morning Glory pool, a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park. The color differences in the pool result from the different communities of microbes that are able to thrive at various water temperature[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div><\/div>\r\n<div><\/div>\r\n<div><\/div>\r\n<div><\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n<div>\r\n<h2><strong><a id=\"Euk Org\"><\/a>Eukaryotic Microorganisms<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<strong><a id=\"Alg\"><\/a>Algae<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAlgae (singular: alga) are plant-like organisms that can be either unicellular or multicellular (Figure 1.3). Their cells are usually surrounded by cell walls made of cellulose, a type of carbohydrate. Algae are photosynthetic organisms that extract energy from the sun and release oxygen and carbohydrates into their environment. They produce approximately 50% of the atmospheric oxygen and serve as a major environmental carbon sink. Because other organisms can use their waste products for energy, algae are important parts of many ecosystems. Many consumer products contain ingredients derived from algae, such as carrageenan or alginic acid, which are found in some brands of ice cream, salad dressing, beverages, lipstick, and toothpaste. A derivative of algae also plays a prominent role in the microbiology laboratory. Agar, a gel derived from algae, can be mixed with various nutrients and used to grow microorganisms in a Petri dish. Algae are also being developed as a possible source for biofuels.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_137\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"478\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture2.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-137\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"478\" height=\"313\" \/><\/a> Figure 1.3 Assorted diatoms, a kind of algae, live in annual sea ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Diatoms range in size from 2 \u03bcm to 200 \u03bcm and are visualized here using light microscopy. (credit: modification of work by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)[\/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<strong><a id=\"Proto\"><\/a>Protozoa<\/strong>\r\n\r\nProtozoa (singular: protozoan) make up the backbone of many food webs by providing nutrients for other organisms. Protozoa are very diverse. Some protozoa move with help from hair-like structures called cilia or whip-like structures called flagella. Others extend part of their cell membrane and cytoplasm to propel themselves forward. These cytoplasmic extensions are called pseudopods (\u201cfalse feet\u201d). Some protozoa are photosynthetic; others feed on organic material. Some are free-living, whereas others are parasitic, only able to survive by extracting nutrients from a host organism. Most protozoa are harmless, but some are pathogens that can cause disease in animals or humans (Figure 1.4).\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_138\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"312\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture3.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-138\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"312\" height=\"314\" \/><\/a> Figure 1.4 Giardia lamblia, an intestinal protozoan parasite that infects humans and other mammals, causing severe diarrhea. (credit: modification of work by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<strong><a id=\"Fun\"><\/a>Fungi<\/strong>\r\n\r\nFungi (singular: fungus) are also eukaryotes. Some multicellular fungi, such as mushrooms, resemble plants, but they are actually quite different. Fungi are not photosynthetic, and their cell walls are usually made out of chitin rather than cellulose.\r\n\r\nUnicellular fungi\u2014yeasts\u2014are included within the study of microbiology. There are more than 1000 known species. Yeasts are found in many different environments, from the deep sea to the human navel. Some yeasts have beneficial uses, such as causing bread to rise and beverages to ferment; but yeasts can also cause food to spoil and some even cause diseases (Figure 1.5).\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_139\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"423\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture4.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-139\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"423\" height=\"292\" \/><\/a> Figure 1.5 Candida albicans is a unicellular fungus, or yeast. C. albicans has a morphology similar to that of bacteria; however, yeast is a eukaryotic organism (note the nuclei) and is much larger. (credit: modification of work by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOther fungi of interest to microbiologists are multicellular organisms called molds. Molds are made up of long filaments that form visible colonies (Figure 1.6). Molds are found in many different environments, from soil to rotting food to dank bathroom corners. Molds play a critical role in the decomposition of dead plants and animals. Some molds can cause allergies, and others produce disease-causing metabolites called mycotoxins. Molds have been used to make pharmaceuticals, including penicillin, which is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics, and cyclosporine, used to prevent organ rejection following a transplant.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_140\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"392\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture5.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-140\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture5.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"392\" height=\"277\" \/><\/a> Figure 1.6 Large colonies of microscopic fungi can often be observed with the naked eye, as seen on the surface of these moldy oranges.[\/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n<strong><a id=\"Multi\"><\/a>Multicellular Animal Parasites<\/strong>\r\n\r\nMulticellular parasitic worms called helminths are not technically microorganisms, as most are large enough to see without a microscope. However, these worms fall within the field of microbiology because diseases caused by helminths involve microscopic eggs and larvae. As with all animals, they lack cells walls. While there are many other worms that do not cause disease, also those that fall within this category are pathogens. Parasitic helminthes are some of the most widely distributed infectious organisms, affecting ~2 billion people worldwide.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_141\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"478\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture6.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-141\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture6-300x113.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"478\" height=\"180\" \/><\/a> Figure 1.7 (a) The beef tapeworm, Taenia saginata, infects both cattle and humans. T. saginata eggs are microscopic (around 50 \u03bcm), but adult worms like the one shown here can reach 4\u201310 m, taking up residence in the digestive system. (b) An adult guinea worm, Dracunculus medinensis, is removed through a lesion in the patient\u2019s skin by winding it around a matchstick. (credit a, b: modification of work by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)[\/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><a id=\"Vir\"><\/a>Viruses:<\/strong>\r\n\r\nViruses are acellular microorganisms, which means they are not composed of cells. Essentially, a virus consists of proteins and genetic material\u2014either DNA or RNA, but never both\u2014that are inert outside of a host organism. However, by incorporating themselves into a host cell, viruses are able to co-opt the host\u2019s cellular mechanisms to multiply and infect other hosts. Viruses can infect all types of host cells, from human cells to the cells of other microorganisms. In humans, viruses are responsible for numerous diseases, from the common cold to deadly Ebola (Figure 1.8).\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_142\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"469\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture8.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-142\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture8.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"469\" height=\"204\" \/><\/a> Figure 1.8 (a) Members of the Coronavirus family can cause respiratory infections like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). (b) Ebolavirus, a member of the Filovirus family. (credit a: modification of work by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; credit b: modification of work by Thomas W. Geisbert)[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div><\/div>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;","rendered":"<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<h1>Unit 1.1\u00a0 Introduction to Microbiology<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h5>Outline<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#PM\">Prokaryotic Microorganisms<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#B\">Bacteria<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Arch\">Archaea<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Euk\">Eukaryotic Microorganisms<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#Alg\">Algae<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Proto\">Protozoa<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Fun\">Fungi<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Multi\">Multicellular Animal Parasites<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Vir\">Viruses<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h5>Learning Objectives<\/h5>\n<p>After reading the following, you should be able to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Be able to define the terms microbiology, microorganism and pathogen.<\/li>\n<li>Be able to give examples of the non-pathogenic roles that microorganism play.<\/li>\n<li>Be able to name the different types of microorganisms discussed in this course.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>From boiling thermal hot springs to deep beneath the Antarctic ice, microorganisms can be found almost everywhere on earth in great quantities. Microorganisms or microbes, as they are also called) are small organisms. Most are so small that they cannot be seen without a microscope and the study of these organisms is known as Microbiology.<\/p>\n<p>Most microorganisms are harmless to humans and, in fact, many are helpful. They play fundamental roles in ecosystems everywhere on earth, forming the backbone of many food webs. People use them to make biofuels, medicines, and even foods. Without microbes, there would be no bread, cheese, or beer. Our bodies are filled with microbes, and our skin alone is home to trillions of them. Some of them we can\u2019t live without; others are pathogens that cause diseases that can make us sick or even kill us.<\/p>\n<p>Although much more is known today about microbial life than ever before, the vast majority of this invisible world remains unexplored. Microbiologists continue to identify new ways that microbes benefit and threaten humans. In this course we will be discussing several different categories of microorganism. These can be separated in to two broad categories: Prokaryotic microorganisms and Eukaryotic microorganisms, which will be discussed in greater detail in Unit 2.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong><a id=\"PM\"><\/a>Prokaryotic Microorganisms<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><a id=\"B\"><\/a>Bacteria<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Bacteria are single celled microbes that are found in nearly every habitat on earth, including within and on humans. Bacteria are prokaryotic because their genetic material (DNA) is not housed within a true nucleus. Most bacteria are harmless or helpful, but some are pathogens, causing disease in humans and other animals.<\/p>\n<p>Most bacteria have cell walls that contain peptidoglycan. They have a wide range of metabolisms and can grow in a variety of environments, using different combinations of nutrients. Some bacteria are photosynthetic, producing oxygen. Other types of bacteria are non-photosynthetic, obtaining their energy from organic or inorganic compounds in their environment. Environmentally, they play a major role in decomposition, nitrogen fixation and are the foundation of many food webs. In our bodies, non-pathogenic bacteria are involved in a number of processes, such as the production of vitamin K and making feces brown.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_143\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-143\" style=\"width: 463px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture1-2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-143\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture1-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"463\" height=\"230\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture1-2.png 284w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture1-2-65x32.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture1-2-225x112.png 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 463px) 100vw, 463px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-143\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1.1 (a) This TEM image of cells in a biofilm shows well-defined internal structures of the cells because of varying levels of opacity in the specimen. (b) This color-enhanced SEM image of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus structure of cells. (credit a: modification of work by American Society for Microbiology; credit b: modification of work by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><strong><a id=\"Arch\"><\/a>Archaea<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Archaea are also unicellular prokaryotic organisms. Archaea and bacteria have different evolutionary histories, as well as significant differences in genetics, metabolic pathways, and the composition of their cell walls and membranes. Unlike most bacteria, archaeal cell walls do not contain peptidoglycan, but their cell walls are often composed of a similar substance called pseudopeptidoglycan. Like bacteria, archaea are found in nearly every habitat on earth, even extreme environments that are very cold, very hot, very basic, or very acidic, which are too hostile for other types of organism to survive in (Figure 1.2). Some archaea live in the human body, but none have been shown to be human pathogens.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_136\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-136\" style=\"width: 407px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture1-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-136\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture1-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"407\" height=\"216\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture1-1.png 262w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture1-1-65x34.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture1-1-225x119.png 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 407px) 100vw, 407px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-136\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1.2 Some archaea live in extreme environments, such as the Morning Glory pool, a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park. The color differences in the pool result from the different communities of microbes that are able to thrive at various water temperature<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<h2><strong><a id=\"Euk Org\"><\/a>Eukaryotic Microorganisms<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><a id=\"Alg\"><\/a>Algae<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Algae (singular: alga) are plant-like organisms that can be either unicellular or multicellular (Figure 1.3). Their cells are usually surrounded by cell walls made of cellulose, a type of carbohydrate. Algae are photosynthetic organisms that extract energy from the sun and release oxygen and carbohydrates into their environment. They produce approximately 50% of the atmospheric oxygen and serve as a major environmental carbon sink. Because other organisms can use their waste products for energy, algae are important parts of many ecosystems. Many consumer products contain ingredients derived from algae, such as carrageenan or alginic acid, which are found in some brands of ice cream, salad dressing, beverages, lipstick, and toothpaste. A derivative of algae also plays a prominent role in the microbiology laboratory. Agar, a gel derived from algae, can be mixed with various nutrients and used to grow microorganisms in a Petri dish. Algae are also being developed as a possible source for biofuels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_137\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-137\" style=\"width: 478px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-137\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"478\" height=\"313\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture2.png 252w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture2-65x43.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture2-225x147.png 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 478px) 100vw, 478px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-137\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1.3 Assorted diatoms, a kind of algae, live in annual sea ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Diatoms range in size from 2 \u03bcm to 200 \u03bcm and are visualized here using light microscopy. (credit: modification of work by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><strong><a id=\"Proto\"><\/a>Protozoa<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Protozoa (singular: protozoan) make up the backbone of many food webs by providing nutrients for other organisms. Protozoa are very diverse. Some protozoa move with help from hair-like structures called cilia or whip-like structures called flagella. Others extend part of their cell membrane and cytoplasm to propel themselves forward. These cytoplasmic extensions are called pseudopods (\u201cfalse feet\u201d). Some protozoa are photosynthetic; others feed on organic material. Some are free-living, whereas others are parasitic, only able to survive by extracting nutrients from a host organism. Most protozoa are harmless, but some are pathogens that can cause disease in animals or humans (Figure 1.4).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_138\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-138\" style=\"width: 312px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-138\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"312\" height=\"314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture3.png 164w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture3-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture3-65x65.png 65w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 312px) 100vw, 312px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-138\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1.4 Giardia lamblia, an intestinal protozoan parasite that infects humans and other mammals, causing severe diarrhea. (credit: modification of work by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><strong><a id=\"Fun\"><\/a>Fungi<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fungi (singular: fungus) are also eukaryotes. Some multicellular fungi, such as mushrooms, resemble plants, but they are actually quite different. Fungi are not photosynthetic, and their cell walls are usually made out of chitin rather than cellulose.<\/p>\n<p>Unicellular fungi\u2014yeasts\u2014are included within the study of microbiology. There are more than 1000 known species. Yeasts are found in many different environments, from the deep sea to the human navel. Some yeasts have beneficial uses, such as causing bread to rise and beverages to ferment; but yeasts can also cause food to spoil and some even cause diseases (Figure 1.5).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_139\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-139\" style=\"width: 423px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-139\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"423\" height=\"292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture4.png 259w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture4-65x45.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture4-225x156.png 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 423px) 100vw, 423px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-139\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1.5 Candida albicans is a unicellular fungus, or yeast. C. albicans has a morphology similar to that of bacteria; however, yeast is a eukaryotic organism (note the nuclei) and is much larger. (credit: modification of work by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Other fungi of interest to microbiologists are multicellular organisms called molds. Molds are made up of long filaments that form visible colonies (Figure 1.6). Molds are found in many different environments, from soil to rotting food to dank bathroom corners. Molds play a critical role in the decomposition of dead plants and animals. Some molds can cause allergies, and others produce disease-causing metabolites called mycotoxins. Molds have been used to make pharmaceuticals, including penicillin, which is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics, and cyclosporine, used to prevent organ rejection following a transplant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_140\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-140\" style=\"width: 392px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture5.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-140\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture5.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"392\" height=\"277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture5.png 242w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture5-65x46.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture5-225x159.png 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 392px) 100vw, 392px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-140\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1.6 Large colonies of microscopic fungi can often be observed with the naked eye, as seen on the surface of these moldy oranges.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><strong><a id=\"Multi\"><\/a>Multicellular Animal Parasites<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Multicellular parasitic worms called helminths are not technically microorganisms, as most are large enough to see without a microscope. However, these worms fall within the field of microbiology because diseases caused by helminths involve microscopic eggs and larvae. As with all animals, they lack cells walls. While there are many other worms that do not cause disease, also those that fall within this category are pathogens. Parasitic helminthes are some of the most widely distributed infectious organisms, affecting ~2 billion people worldwide.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141\" style=\"width: 478px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture6.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-141\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture6-300x113.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"478\" height=\"180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture6-300x113.png 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture6-65x24.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture6-225x84.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture6-350x131.png 350w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture6.png 424w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 478px) 100vw, 478px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1.7 (a) The beef tapeworm, Taenia saginata, infects both cattle and humans. T. saginata eggs are microscopic (around 50 \u03bcm), but adult worms like the one shown here can reach 4\u201310 m, taking up residence in the digestive system. (b) An adult guinea worm, Dracunculus medinensis, is removed through a lesion in the patient\u2019s skin by winding it around a matchstick. (credit a, b: modification of work by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a id=\"Vir\"><\/a>Viruses:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Viruses are acellular microorganisms, which means they are not composed of cells. Essentially, a virus consists of proteins and genetic material\u2014either DNA or RNA, but never both\u2014that are inert outside of a host organism. However, by incorporating themselves into a host cell, viruses are able to co-opt the host\u2019s cellular mechanisms to multiply and infect other hosts. Viruses can infect all types of host cells, from human cells to the cells of other microorganisms. In humans, viruses are responsible for numerous diseases, from the common cold to deadly Ebola (Figure 1.8).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_142\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-142\" style=\"width: 469px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture8.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-142\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture8.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"469\" height=\"204\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture8.png 292w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture8-65x28.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1871\/2023\/01\/Picture8-225x98.png 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 469px) 100vw, 469px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-142\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Figure 1.8 (a) Members of the Coronavirus family can cause respiratory infections like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). (b) Ebolavirus, a member of the Filovirus family. (credit a: modification of work by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; credit b: modification of work by Thomas W. Geisbert)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1868,"menu_order":1,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[49],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-49","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","chapter-type-numberless"],"part":3,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/49","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1868"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/49\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":664,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/49\/revisions\/664"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/3"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/49\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=49"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=49"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/introductiontomicrobiologyforhealthsciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=49"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}