Microbiology (BIO
108) – Chapter 1: The Microbial World
Learning Objectives
1. Describe how microbes affect us in our daily lives.
2. Describe how microorganisms are named.
3. Describe the bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, algae and viruses. What are
their most distinguishing characteristics?
4. Describe how microorganisms are currently classified.
5. Compare and contrast the theories of spontaneous generation and biogenesis.
6. Describe the most important contributions made by Hooke, van Leeuwenhoek,
Spallanzani, Jenner, Pasteur, Lister, Koch, Ehrlich, Metchnikoff, Fleming and
Waksman.
7. What is the germ theory of disease? Who was involved in developing it?
8. What are Koch's Postulates? How have they helped conquer human disease?
9. What is chemotherapy? How has it radically altered the history of medicine?
10. What is vaccination? How has it helped eliminate disease?
11. Describe theee modern developments in microbiology.
12. What is genetic engineering? How is it being used?
13. Describe five beneficial activities of microorganisms.
14. Describe five emerging infectious diseases. What kinds of microbes are involved
in these diseases?
15. Define all the boldface terms in chapter one and add them to your vocabulary.