Morphology of microorganisms is a science that studies their shape, structure, methods of reproduction and movement.
Basics and discovery
This science is quite extensive and deals with the study of many issues. Despite the fact that all microorganisms are invisible to human eyes, they still exist and are both “good” for the body and bad.
Microbes can be found in all spheres of manifestation of life: in water, soil, air, as well as in other organisms.
For the first time, the famous scientist Leeuwenhoek, who made the first lenses that allow magnifying objects up to two hundred times, learned about bacteria. And what he saw completely amazed him. The scientist learned that microbes are everywhere, and they are all different from each other. Thus Leeuwenhoek became the discoverer of microorganisms.
Louis Pasteur began to deal with such a question as the morphology of microorganisms, and found out that they not only have a different structure and shape, but also differ in the ways of movement and reproduction. He found that some microorganisms are harmful to the human body, and some, on the contrary, are beneficial. He also discovered that microbes such as yeastcapable of leading to fermentation processes.
The morphology of organisms has enabled many scientists to invent various vaccines to help cope with deadly human diseases.
Classification
Microorganisms are considered the smallest representatives that live on planet Earth. Most often they are unicellular and can only be seen with a very powerful microscope.
The size of this life form is measured in micrometers and nanometers. There are a huge number of them in nature, so they have significant differences in structure, modes of existence and movement.
According to the established classification, microbes are divided into non-cellular, unicellular and multicellular. At the same time, they are divided into the following categories: fungi, yeast, phages, bacteria and viruses.
A little about bacteria
When studying such a topic as the morphology of microorganisms, much attention should be paid to bacteria. Most often they are single-celled organisms (although there are exceptions) and have quite a variety of sizes. Some of them reach 500 microns.
There are several types of bacteria that differ in their shape. These include rod-shaped, spherical and convoluted organisms. Let's take a closer look at each type.
Spherical bacteria in medicine are called "cocci". Most often they are round in shape, although sometimes oval and bean-shaped microorganisms are also found. They can be located not only singly, but also in pairs, in the formchains or vines.
Many of them have a negative impact on the human body. For example, streptococci cause allergies, and staphylococci cause purulent and inflammatory processes.
Rod-shaped bacteria are considered the most common. These include microorganisms that lead to tuberculosis, typhoid fever, dysentery.
Some types of sticks form spores under poor environmental conditions. Such bacteria are called bacilli.
The formation of spores is a very interesting and complex process, since the cell itself of this type is very different from the usual bacillus. Each spore has a dense and strong shell, while possessing a negligible amount of water. Such a cell does not need nutrients at all, it stops moving and multiplying. At the same time, spores can be in terrible conditions for life, such as too high or low temperatures. But as soon as the environment favorable for them comes, they immediately begin their life activity.
Twisted bacteria are most often found in the form of commas or whorls. Typically, such microorganisms cause diseases such as syphilis and cholera.
Many bacteria are able to move, and they do it with the help of flagella of various shapes and lengths.
Bacteria reproduce by division. This process is very fast (every fifteen to twenty minutes). The fastest reproduction can be seen on foodfoods and other highly nutritious environments.
Viruses
Viruses can be attributed to a special group of microorganisms that does not have a cellular structure. Such life forms are extremely small, so they can only be seen under an electron microscope. Some types of viruses may only be composed of proteins and nucleic acids.
Every person at least once in his life faced with diseases caused by these microorganisms. This includes influenza, hepatitis, measles and many other diseases.
Mushrooms
This group of microorganisms is also special. Mushrooms do not contain chlorophyll, and also do not synthesize organic substances. They need ready-made food. That is why mushrooms are most often found on fertile soils or on food products.
Mushrooms are characterized by different ways of reproduction. This includes not only asexual and sexual methods, but also vegetative.
Yeast
Yeasts are single-celled immobile organisms with a wide variety of shapes. There are both round and oval species, as well as rod-shaped and crescent-shaped.
This type of microorganism is quite widespread. They can be found on plants, in the soil, and also in foodstuffs that spoil. Some of them are able to convert sugars into carbon dioxide and ethyl alcohol. This process is called fermentation. It is very much in demand in the food industry.
Morphologymicroorganisms: bacteria
It is worth considering that bacteria are the first form of life that appeared on our planet. Their main feature is the structure of the cell. Unlike eukaryotes (cells containing a nucleus), prokaryotes (bacteria) do not contain a nucleus.
Such microorganisms live in all spheres of life and directly affect human life as well.
Scientists also classify bacteria according to the principle of usefulness. There are beneficial species and harmful ones. Useful ones are involved in the process of photosynthesis, have a positive effect on the human digestive system, and are also very often used in industry.
Studying the morphology of microorganisms gives a general idea of their existence, and also makes it possible to find out their benefits and harms in certain situations.
A standard bacterial cell consists of the following components:
- Plasma membrane. This cell element is no different from the eukaryotic membrane.
- Mesosome is a special component, with the help of which it is possible to attach hereditary material to the cell.
- Nucleotide. It is an incompletely formed nucleus. It contains all the chromosomes.
- Ribosomes are special organelles that occupy about forty percent of the cell space.
In addition to the elements listed above, the prokaryotic cell also includes: a capsule, a cell wall and a mucous membrane. Many bacteria canindependently move and cling to surfaces. They do this with the help of special flagella and villi.
Morphology of microorganisms: microbiology of viruses, fungi and yeasts
A virus is a special organism that does not have a cellular structure. Each of its particles consists of a shell, as well as a centrally located core of information.
But the structure of fungal cells is more complicated than that of other microorganisms. Their cells also include nuclei and vacuoles. In structure, they are very similar to plants, but have a different shape. They look like long and branching threads called hyphae. Usually such hyphae form mycelium.
Yeast cells contain all the elements of eukaryotes, but in addition, they also have other components. Their uniqueness lies in the fact that they have the qualities of both animals and plants.
Exchange processes
Morphology and physiology of microorganisms allow you to understand the main stages of their life. Bacteria, just like more complex life forms, synthesize lipids, fats and carbohydrates. But at the same time, the processes occurring in their cells are different.
Scientists distinguish two types of eukaryotes: autotrophs and heterotrophs.
The first type is capable of synthesizing organic substances from inorganic compounds, while the second type produces transformation processes of organic components.
Most often, heterotrophs are parasitic microorganisms. They feed only on usefulsubstances entering the body of their host.
There are also saprophytes. They feed on synthesized substances from dead organisms.
The morphology of the structure of microorganisms is a rather important component of the study of the life of bacteria. However, in addition to the structure of the cell, it is also worth considering the types of metabolism. The construct type has been discussed above. There is also an energy exchange.
Scientists identify the following types of energy production:
- Photosynthesis. This procedure can be performed with or without oxygen.
- Fermentation. This energetic reaction occurs due to the detachment of molecules that transfer phosphoric acid to ADP.
- Breath. Microorganisms can breathe not only with oxygen, but also with the help of organic and mineral compounds.
Transfer of hereditary information
There are several ways to transfer hereditary information by prokaryotes (the morphology and systematics of microorganisms are also described in this article). Let's take a closer look at each of them:
- conjugation is a method of transferring hereditary information from one microorganism to another only by their direct contact;
- transformation - a type of transfer during which donors share information with recipients;
- transduction is a method of direct transfer of hereditary material using phages.
Methodsmicroorganism morphology studies
For the most accurate study of the structure of prokaryotes, methods such as microscopy and staining are used.
Microscopic methods for studying the morphology of microorganisms are performed using electron and light microscopes. Experts have developed several methods for the most accurate results.
The morphological method of research allows using a microscope to examine the structure of the cell, as well as its mobility and ability to reproduce.
The physiological method allows you to consider the reaction of microorganisms to various stimuli, as well as the ability to adapt to various conditions.
With the help of the culture method, it is possible to conduct studies of a microorganism in a nutrient medium. This technique allows you to identify the ability to grow and reproduce.
Morphology of microorganisms (microbiology) is a very important science that studies bacteria and other unicellular organisms. Do not think that bacteria cause only harm to nature and the human body. This is far from true. Without them, life on planet Earth would be impossible.
