Topic 1. Overview and Introduction to Microbiology

1 - Know the size of microorganisms using metric values. Know what is considered a microorganism and what is not (know the hallmark features of life).

2 - Know the key contribution that the following people made to microbiology : Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch.

3 - KNow about the controversy surrounding the theory of spontaneous generation and how it was disproved.

4 - Explain how the germ theory of disease was proven and, hence, know Koch's postulates.

Topic 2. Chemistry and how to study Microorganisms

1 - Know the terms: Atom, Ion, Isotope, Atom Nucleus, Proton, Neutron, Electron, Molecule, Compound.

2 - Know how elements can form a molecule or compound (chemical bonds) and be able to describe its nature.

3 - Know what the pH value is and why it is relevant to the study of microbiology

4 - Know what "functional groups" of molecules and compounds are.

5 - Know the difference between Monomers and Macromolecules and how they are related.

6 - Know the nature of chemical bonds in macromolecules.

7 - Know methods how to study microorganisms and be able to explain the principle of the methods.

8 - Know the different physical states of media.

9 - Know the difference between synthetic and complex media.

10 - Know the difference between light microscopy and electron microscopy in context with its use for studying microorganisms.

Topic 3. Microbial Cell Biology

1 - Be able to discuss the characteristics that distinguish prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Further, know some differences between Bacteria and Archaea.

2 - Describe the differences between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria such as the chemical and spatial structures of their cell walls (i.e., peptidoglycan, periplasm, outer membrane).

3 - Know the relationship between Gram staining and wall structure.

4 - KNow the principle of cell wall synthesis of growing bacterial cells (making and breaking glycosidic bonds).

5 - Describe the structure and function of bacterial cytoplasmic membranes. What are the mechanisms of transport across membranes?

6 - Chemotaxis: describe how bacteria can move towards a chemical.

7 - Know the basic structure of bacterial flagella and types of flagellation.

8 - Be able to explain the following terms: autolysin, porin, endotoxin, exotoxin, periplasmic space, fimbriae, pili, glycocalyx (capsule, slime layer).

9 - Describe types of bacterial cell inclusions and their assumed functions.

12 - Describe the processes of endospore formation and germination. Know at least the genus name of two endospore-forming bacteria.

13 - Be able to name eukaryotic microorganisms.

14 - Be able to describe the cell biology of eukaryotic microorganisms (i.e., fungi).

15 - Be able to outline the general life cycle of a fungus (Fig 5.18).

16 - What are a yeast and a mold?

Topic 4. Microbial Nutrition and Growth

1 - Describe the nutritional requirements of microorganisms under use of terms such as macronutrients, micronutrients, growth factors.

2 - Know types of media that support growth such as complex medium, defined medium, selective medium, liquid medium, solid medium.

3 - Know the major ways of nutrient acquisition (transport) including the meaning of such terms as passive and active transport.

4 - Know the difference in the meaning of Diffusion, Osmosis and facilitated Diffusion.

5 - Know the difference in the meaning of Carrier, Channel; light-, pmf-, and redox-driven ion-pumps and group translocation.

6 - know the scheme of characterizing particular lifestyles of growth by using the sources of energy (Photo- or Chemotroph), reduction potential (Organo- or Lithotroph), and carbon (Auto- or Heterotroph).

7 - Understand the basic structure of the biosphere that is organized in separate ecosystems.

8 - Understand the basic structure of ecosystems that are organized in communities of populations that inhabit particular habitats with specific niches.

9 - Know the trophic and energy pyramid

10 - Understand the basic concept of biogeochemical cycles and the unique role of microbes as recyclers.

11 - Understand the nitrogen cycle.

12 - Describe the process of binary fission, know the characteristics of cellular growth.

13 - Be able to explain the four phases of population growth of single celled microorganisms in batch culture.

14 - Know terms like biomass, primary and secondary metabolites.

15 - know at least one reason for using continuous bacterial culture in the chemostat (fermentor).

16 - Know the factors that affect microbial growth and how they affect growth.