Microbiology B
Objectives
1)To understand the diversity of microbial life and the relationships between the main groups of microorganisms in an evolutionary perspective, as well as metabolic and structural diversity. To acquire basic knowlege on molecular identification of microrganisms and of microbial ecology.
2)To learn the basic laboratory techniques of microbiology: optical microscopy; microbial culture and aseptic technique; isolation of microorganisms.
General characterization
Code
3804
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
Paula Maria Theriaga Mendes Bernardo Gonçalves
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - 50
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
Fundamentals of Biochemistry.
Bibliography
- Lecture handouts and other learning support items posted in the course Moodle webpage.
- M.T. Madigan et al., “Brock Biology of Microorganisms”, 12thed., Pearson, 2009 (or other editions of the same book).
Teaching method
Teaching strategy involves 1.5 hour lectures and 3 hour lab sessions.
Evaluation method
..
Subject matter
Lectures
The Historical Roots of Microbiology
Cell Structure in Prokaryotes
Eukaryotic cell structure
Microbial growth curve. Introduction to the diversity of microbial energy metabolism.
Chemoorganotrophy, Chemolythotrophy and Phototrophy. Aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
Anoxygenic photosynthesis and oxygenic photosynthesis. Autotrophism
The diversity of the Bacteria . Examples of applied relevance and metabolic and ecological diversity
The diversity of the Archaea . Ecology and metabolism of hyperthermophile and halophile archaea
Origin and diversification of life on Earth. Origin of life and oceanic hydrothermal vents
Origin and diversity of the Eukarya . Molecular phylogeny of eukaryotes and division between protists, fungi, plants and animals. Impact of primary and secondary endosymbiosis
Microbial symbioses. Categories and examples of symbiosis in which microorganisms are involved
Lab sessions: Basic microbiological techniques: preparation of culture media; sterilization; aseptic technique. Introduction to laboratory culture of microorganisms. Light microscopy: eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Microscopical examination of environmental samples (soil/water). Basic methods for the isolation of microorganisms:isolation of endospore-forming bacteria (Bacillus) from soil; isolation of yeasts from fermenting fruit.
Programs
Programs where the course is taught: