∞ generated and posted on 2020.12.19 ∞
Perhaps not surprisingly, microorganisms are very small (i.e., 'micro') organisms, and this especially is as seen in terms of organism size at the point of their maturity; microbiology is the study of the biology of such 'micro' organisms.
| The goal of the associated exercise is to gain an appreciation especially of the morphology of cellular microorganisms – bacteria, protozoa, and algae – with the latter including also some macroorganisms. |
By way of introduction to these various topics, see
kingdom Monera,
kingdom Protista,
protozoa,
algae,
yeast,
mold,
macrofungi,
chemoheterotroph, and
photoautotroph.
What is microbiology? In the above video I attempt to answer that question as part of an introduction to my Microbiology class.
The above video is a nice place to start when considering the microscopic as it is fun, historical, informative, and pretty.
The above video discusses what makes bacteria "good" versus "bad". Note that defining endotoxin as a "protein toxin found on the outside of the membrane" is incorrect in a number of different ways: it's not a protein, it's found inside of the membrane rather than outside, it's found in association with a specific kind of membrane known as an outer membrane, and arguable it's not even a toxin but instead a signal that the body uses to recognize bacterial infections. Exotoxins by contrast are proteins.
The above video discusses a diversity of bacterial taxa.
The above video discusses a diversity of infectious diseases, that is, diseases which are caused by microorganisms.
The above video discusses dental carries in terms of the causative microorganisms.
The above video discusses the extremely important-to-health concept of the microbiome.
The above video discusses fecal transplantation in greater depth, which is all about supplying 'good' microorganisms to your colon.
The above video does fly off the "deep end" on a number of occasions, but nonetheless has pretty pictures and more or less gets things right in terms of what influenza the virus is all about.
The above video is a bit corny, superficial, and in some cases even a visually misleading overview of microbiology, but nevertheless not completely without merit. That is, if you are new to microbiology, it's well worth watching.
Focusing in on typical cocci, which are bacteria.
Focusing in on spirillum, which are bacteria.
Focusing in on (a) typical bacillus (Bacillus megaterium, a bacterium).
Focusing in on Bacillus anthracis (a bacterium) infected tissue.
Focusing in on nostoc, a cyanobacterium.
Focusing in on oscillatoria, a cyanobacterium.
Focusing in on volvox, a eukaryotic alga.
Focusing in on spirogyra conjugation, though for simplicity focus especially just on spirogyra, pre-conjugation.
This is a video showing coralline algae in approximately its native habitat.
Focusing in on diatoms.
Focusing in on euglena, a eukaryotic alga.
Focusing in on Ceratium, a dinoflagellate, eukaryotic alga.
Focusing in on Paramecium caudatum (a ciliate, a eukaryotic organism).
Focusing in on stentor, a ciliate (a eukaryotic protist)
This video take a look at the malaria life cycle. Pay attention especially to the egg at the point of fertilization.
Focusing in on Trypanosoma gambiense, a unicellular eukaryotic parasite.
The above is a video of an amoeba, indeed Amoeba proteus.
Focusing in on radiolaria (protozoa living within tests).
Various heterotrophic eukaryotic microorganisms obtaining nutrients, particularly their carbon sources and energy sources.
Nearly the entire above video is on Stentor.
The above video is on the ciliate Lacrymaria.
The above exploration of pond water is very pretty and reasonably informative. Beware various typos, though.
The above video gets a bit slow at times and isn't always terribly informative, but still it's pretty wonderful to watch.