Unit 1st

INTRODUCTION TO MICROBIOLOGY

Microbiology:
 The study of microorganisms is called microbiology.

Microbiology derived from the three greek words :

 Micro - small

 Bios - Life

 Logos - study/science

Definition: “Microbiology is the study of living things so small that they cannot be seen with
the naked eye”.

 Microorganisms are microscopic organisms that exist as single cells or cell clusters and
can be seen only by microscope.

 Micro organism include protozoa, bacteria, fungi, algae and viruses.

History and development of microbiology

Father of microbiology - Antonie van Leeuwenhoek ( 1632-1723).

Contribution:

 Leeuwenhoek was born in Holland.

 He spent his money and time in preparing lens.

 In 1671, Leeuwenhoek constructed his first simple microscope.

 Through his microscope, he examined skin, hair and his own blood.

 In 1674, microbiology was born when Leeuwenhoek observed drop of Lake water
through a carefully grounded glass lense.

Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)

 Father of modern microbiology

Contribution:

 He discovered the process of Pasteurization the killing of bacteria.

  He gave the theory of fermentation and he coined the term vaccine.

 He prepared rabies vaccine from the spinal fluid of infected rabbits.

 He introduce the technique of Sterilization.

 He introduced the term vaccination and microbiology, the study of living organisms of
microscopic size.

Robert Koch (1843-1910).

 Father of Medical microbiology.

 Robert Heinrich Hermann Koch was born in small town near Hanover, Germany.

Contribution: