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Malaria is caused by the single-celled parasite Plasmodium. It is transmitted from one person to another by certain species of blood sucking mosquito. The parasite spends part of its complex life cycle inside red blood cells.
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Keep up to date with the latest microbiology news. Most stories are linked to the full newspaper article.
Educational videos featuring microbial techniques.
Interviews with leading microbiologists about their latest research.
Information and advice on all aspects of microbiology teaching - both theory and practice is just a click away.
The function of microbes as tiny chemical processors is to keep the life cycles of the planet turning.
Under the right conditions carbon-based fossil fuels, coal, oil and gas are formed. These are mined from the ground.
Carbon is released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned
More carbon is released into the atmosphere by respiration of decomposers.
Photosynthetic microbes and green plants take in carbon during photosynthesis and produce glucose (a sugar).
Micro-organisms can be friend or foe but most importantly, we all need them to live!
Ever wondered why when we are surrounded by microbes we are not ill all the time?
Food for thought - bread, chocolate, yoghurt, blue cheese and tofu are all made using microbes.
An overview of the world of microbes!
More than just pathogens - can be friend or foe.
a. bacillus (rod), b. coccus (spherical), c. spirillum (spiral), d. spirochaete (corkscrew), e. vibrios (comma), f. chain of cocci, g. cluster of cocci, h. pair of cocci, i. chain of bacilli
Artwork of bacterial cells becoming resistant to antibiotics. This resistance is acquired from a donor cell's plasmid (circular unit of deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA), which has resistance seen at upper left (red/yellow, red is resistance). Viral transmissio
This bacterium causes anthrax in farm animals and less commonly in humans. Spores can survive for many years and are resistant to extremes of heat, cold and drying.
One becomes two ... two becomes four ... four becomes eight This means in 8 hours, the number of bacteria will have risen to a colossal 16,777216!
Smallest of all the microbes but are they alive?
The virus consists of a core of RNA (ribonucleic acid, green) enclosed in a capsid, or protein coat (blue spheres). Surrounding the capsid is a glycoprotein envelope (pink and green). Inserted in the envelope are surface proteins (orange spheres), which h
Each phage consists of a large DNA- containing head and a tail composed of a tube-like central sheath with several fibres.
A section through a cell being destroyed by herpes simplex virus infection. At centre is a large cluster of viral capsids (protein coats, red) which the cell has produced at the direction of the virus's genetic material.
More than just mushrooms.
Budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Scars yellow can be seen on the surface. It is used in the production of beer, wine and bread.
Macroscopic filamentous Fly agaric fungus (Amanita)
Rhizopus nigricans growing on bread left in a moist plastic bag for 7 days. Tangled mycelium are visible as well as sporangia bearing spores.
The largest organism in the world, when measured by area, is the Honey mushroom fungus, Armillaria.
Microbes with a taste for poo and so much more.
These are freshwater single-celled microbes that feed on bacteria and smaller protozoa. They use pseudopodia (cytoplasmic extensions) to engulf their food and for locomotion.
Foraminifera are single-celled protozoa which construct and inhabit shells. The shells are usually divided into chambers which are added during growth. These shells are made of calcium carbonate but some are made from sand and even silica.
This illustration depicts Trypanosoma brucei moving past human red blood cells in the blood. It is motile and has a single flagellum for locomotion.
Vorticella is bell- shaped with a contractile stalk (bottom) to anchor itself to the surface. It has a flattened top with a mouth surrounded by a wreath of cilia (tiny hair-like projections). By beating these cilia the organism causes the water to swirl l
This single-celled organism lives in freshwater habitats. It is covered in cilia, short hair-like structures used for swimming and for wafting food into its groove-like mouth (centre).
Green algae can make their own food through a process of photosynthesis. They are at the beginning of the food chain and are known as primary producers.
Green algae can make their own food through a process of photosynthesis. They are at the beginning of the food chain and are known as primary producers.
Chlamydomonas is a unicellular green alga. It is motile and has two tail-like flagella that it uses for locomotion.
These blooms occur as a result of a change in the nutrient levels of the river. Contamination by sewage or fertilisers can increase the water's mineral content, which accelerates the growth of all plants, particularly aquatic algae.
Diatoms are single-celled photosynthetic algae. Their cell walls contain a hard substance called silica.
Rhodymenia palmata is an edible alga. Dulse is very popular in Ireland, where it is often mixed with potatoes and butter, adding a salty, savoury bite to fried potato champ.
First found existing on the edge of life.
Sulfolobus is an extremophile that is found in hot springs and thrives in acidic and sulphur-rich environments.
Methanosarcina rumen is anaerobic, and is found in places with little or no oxygen. It is a methane- producing organism that digests decaying organic matter. It is found in the rumen of a group of animals called ruminants such as cattle and sheep.
Staphylothermus marinus is an extremophile found in deep ocean hydrothermal vents, thriving on volcanic sulphur and surviving in water temperatures of up to 98°C
Halococcus salifodinae is found in water with high concentrations of salt. These high salt concentrations would be deadly to most other forms of life, and so H. salifodinae is also known as an extremophile.
Methanococcoides burtonii is an extremophile and was discovered in 1992 in Ace Lake, Antarctica, and can survive in temperatures as low as -2.5 °C.
BRYSON BIOMEDICAL ILLUSTRATIONS / CUSTOM MEDICAL STOCK PHOTO / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
An infection can be seen as a battle between the invading pathogens and host. How does the immune system work?
A macrophage (type of phagocyte) engulfing a bacterium. A macrophage (brown) which is a type of phagocyte engulfing a bacterium (blue). The nucleus of the macrophage is red.
© CNRI / Science Photo Library
Computer artwork of bacteria (blue and green) on human skin.
Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (yellow) sticking to the mucus (blue) on the hair-like cilia.
Macrophage (yellow) engulfing Escherichia coli bacteria (pink rods). This process is called phagocytosis.
BSIP, KRASSOVSKY / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Measles, mumps and tuberculosis can be spread by coughing or sneezing. A cough or a sneeze can release millions of microbes into the air in droplets of mucus or saliva which can then infect somebody else if they breathe in the infected particles.
Chicken skin from a retail package contaminated with bacteria; some of the bacteria are Salmonella. Cooking the chicken properly will kill the bacteria and make the meat safe to eat.
Some diseases are caused by drinking water that is contaminated by human or animal faeces, which may contain disease-causing microbes.
House flies are very good at spreading Salmonella and E.coli O157. They feed on faecal waste and transfer microbes from their feet and other body parts to food.
A puncture wound on the finger caused by a prick from rusted barbed wire may result in tetanus due to infection by spores of the bacterium Clostridium tetani. The spores live mainly in soil and manure, but are also found on dirty or rusting metal objects.
JAMES KING-HOLMES / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
MMR vaccine being drawn into a syringe. This combined vaccine protects children from three viral diseases: measles, mumps and rubella.
ST MARY'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL SCHOOL / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
The antibiotic kills the bacteria (red) by causing the cell wall to disintegrate (yellow remnants).
There are probably at least a million cases of microbial food poisoning in the UK every year costing an estimated £1.5b a year - how can anything as small as a microbe cause all this trouble?
A. DOWSETT, HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
CORDELIA MOLLOY / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
The yellow fibrous structures are hyphae, which make up the main body of the fungus. They penetrate the bread and absorb nutrients. The small green dots are the conidia, the spores of the mould.
Microbes ferment sugar to make energy for themselves - luckily for us foods like bread and yoghurt can be made by microbial fermentations.
Used to make bread. Yeast is a single-celled fungus. It is able to ferment sugar, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide in the process. It has long been used to make beer and wine as well as bread (the carbon dioxide causes the dough to rise).
Waste products (undigested food, urine and faeces) and dead organisms which contain nitrogen compounds are added to the soil.
The decomposers - certain soil bacteria and fungi e.g. ammonifying bacteria - break down proteins in dead organisms and animal wastes, releasing ammonium ions.
Nitrification is a two-step process that is carried out by the nitrifying bacteria. Ammonia or ammonium ions are oxidized first to nitrites and then to nitrates.
Nitrates are reduced to nitrogen gas by denitrifying bacteria.
Atmospheric fixation - this occurs spontaneously due to lightning. Only a small amount is fixed this way. Industrial fixation - the Haber process is used to make nitrogen fertilizers. This is very energy inefficient.
Nitrogen fixing bacteria fix 60% of nitrogen gas. Some nitrogen fixing bacteria e.g. Rhizobium live in the root nodules of legumes. Some nitrogen fixing bacteria e.g. Azotobacter are free living in the soil. Nitrogen in the air
Organisms that make their own food are called primary producers and are always at the start of the food chain. Animals and micro-organisms like fungi and bacteria get energy and nutrients by eating other plants, animals and microbes.
Overview
Photosynthetic organisms like algae, cyanobacteria and plants are capable of using light energy which is trapped by chlorophyll, to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose (food). This process is called photosynthesis.
Organisms that make their own food are called primary producers and are always at the start of the food chain. Animals and micro-organisms like fungi and bacteria get energy and nutrients by eating other plants, animals and microbes.
Organisms release energy from food (glucose), as well as carbon dioxide and water in the process of aerobic respiration. This energy is used to do the work needed to keep cells and organisms alive. Aerobic respiration requires oxygen.
The decomposers (fungi and soil bacteria) obtain their energy and nutrients from the dead bodies and waste products of other organisms. As dead bodies and waste products break down, they release essential nutrients into the soil.
Information on observing different types of microbes
HUBERT RAGUET / LOOK AT SCIENCES / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
It secretes huge quantities of the enzyme cellulase. Cellulase speeds up the breakdown of cellulose into sugars.
SINCLAIR STAMMERS / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Bluetongue virus causes bluetongue disease in domestic and wild ruminants is carried by a midge and transmitted to mammals through a bite.
Take a peek down the microscope and explore further the secret world of microbes.
Microbes are extremely versatile and, as living organisms, can be used to teach many of the basic principles of biology. They can also be used to demonstrate How Science Works.
MARTYN F. CHILLMAID / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Recipes for microbial culture media.
A selection of safe, tired and tested microbiology investigations that are suitable for key stages 3 and 4 safe and equivalent Scottish qualifications.
Free resources on hot topics such as TB, AIDS and microbes and climate change.
A guide to the safety considerations when handling microbes in the lab.
How to assess risk before carrying out practical microbial work.
What is GMLP and why is it necessary?
How to manage spills safely.
Information and advice on all aspects of microbiology teaching - both theory and practice is just a click away.
Curious about microbiology? Ever wondered what a microbe is? What they do? The answers are here.
Information on observing different types of microbes
POWER AND SYRED / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Microbial powerhouses essential for life
POWER AND SYRED / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Chlamydomonas is a unicellular green alga. It is motile and has two tail-like flagella that it uses for locomotion.
Observing fungi in a Petri dish
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Free resources on hot topics such as TB, AIDS and microbes and climate change.
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Learn how a microscope works and how to effectively use it in practice.
Food for thought - bread, ginger beer and yoghurt are all made using microbes. Download our recipes and make your own tasty microbial treats.
Curious about microbiology? Ever wondered what a microbe is? What they do? The answers are here.
Key facts and important ideas that will help with last minute revision about microbiology.
Take a peek down the microscope and explore further the secret world of microbes.
With STIs on the rise, it is important that we are all STI aware. Take the quiz and see how much you know.
Food for thought - bread, ginger beer and yoghurt are all made using microbes. Download our recipes and make your own tasty microbial treats.
A section through a cell being destroyed by herpes simplex virus infection. At centre is a large cluster of viral capsids (protein coats, red) which the cell has produced at the direction of the virus's genetic material.
Vorticella is bell- shaped with a contractile stalk (bottom) to anchor itself to the surface. It has a flattened top with a mouth surrounded by a wreath of cilia (tiny hair-like projections). By beating these cilia the organism causes the water to swirl l
Grants of up to £1,000 to support microbiology teaching initiatives and events.
Get in touch with the Microbiology Society.
A list of attributions and thanks for assets used on this website.
© CNRI / Science Photo Library