What is the morphology of microorganisms?

Morphology of microorganisms is a science engaged in studying their form, structure, ways of reproduction and movement.

Basics and discovery

This science is quite extensive and is engaged in 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 organism, and bad.

Microbes can be found in all areas of life: in water, soil, air, and also in other organisms.

For the first time, the famous scientist Levenguk learned about bacteria, he was engaged in the manufacture of the first lenses, allowing to increase the objects up to two hundred times. And what he saw completely amazed him. The scientist learned that microbes are everywhere, and they all differ from each other. Thus, Levenguk became the discoverer of microorganisms.

Louis Pasteur began to deal with such a question as the morphology of microorganisms, and found out that they have not only different structure and form, but also differ in the ways of movement and reproduction. They found that some microorganisms are harmful to the human body, and some, on the contrary, are useful. He also discovered that microbes such as yeast can lead to fermentation processes.

Morphology of organisms has enabled many scientists to invent various vaccines that help cope with deadly human diseases.

Classification

Microorganisms are considered the smallest representatives living on the planet Earth. Most often they are unicellular, and they can only be viewed in a very powerful microscope.

The size of this form of life is measured in micrometers and nanometers. In nature, they meet a huge number, so they have significant differences in the 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 such categories: fungi, yeast, phages, bacteria and viruses.

A bit about bacteria

When studying a topic such 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 form. This can include bacilliform, globular and crimped organisms. Let us consider each species in detail.

Globular bacteria in medicine are called "cocci". Most often they are round in shape, although sometimes there are also oval and bean-shaped microorganisms. Can be located not only singly, but also in pairs, in the form of chains or vines.

Many of them have a negative impact on the human body. For example, streptococci cause allergies, and staphylococci cause the formation of purulent and inflammatory processes.

Bacteria in the form of rods are considered the most common. These include microorganisms leading to tuberculosis, typhoid fever, dysentery.

Some kinds of sticks with poor environmental conditions form spores. Such bacteria are called bacilli.

The formation of spores is a very interesting and complex process, since the very cell of this type is very different from the usual bacillus. Each dispute has a dense and strong shell, while possessing an infinitesimal amount of water. Such a cell does not need nutrients at all, it ceases to move and multiply. In this case, 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.

Crimson bacteria are often found in the form of a comma or curls. Typically, these microorganisms cause diseases such as syphilis and cholera.

Many bacteria are able to move, and they do this with the help of flagella of various shapes and lengths.

Bacteria multiply by division. This process takes place very quickly (every fifteen to twenty minutes). The fastest reproduction can be seen on food products and in another environment with high nutritional content.

Viruses

Viruses can be attributed to a special group of microorganisms, which does not have a cellular structure. Such forms of life are extremely small, so you can see them only under the electron microscope. Some types of viruses can consist only of proteins and nucleic acid.

Everyone has faced at least once in their life with the diseases caused by these microorganisms. This includes influenza, hepatitis, measles and many other diseases.

Mushrooms

This group of microorganisms is also special. Fungi do not have chlorophyll in the composition, nor do they produce synthesis of organic substances. They need ready-made food. That is why mushrooms can often be found on fertile soils or on food products.

For mushrooms are characterized by different ways of reproduction. It can be attributed not only asexual and sexual mode, but also vegetative.

Yeast

Yeasts are single-celled immobile organisms, which have the most diverse form. There are both round and oval species, as well as rod-shaped and sickle-shaped.

This type of microorganism is quite widespread. They can be found on plants, in soil, as well as in food products, which in this case deteriorate. Some of them are able to convert sugars into carbon dioxide and ethyl alcohol. This process is called fermentation. It is very in demand in the food industry.

Morphology of microorganisms: bacteria

It should be noted that bacteria are a form of life that appeared on our planet the very first. Their main feature is the structure of the cell. Unlike eukaryotes (cells containing the nucleus), the prokaryotes (bacteria) of the nucleus do not contain.

Such microorganisms live in all spheres of life and directly affect human life including.

Scientists classify bacteria also according to the principle of utility. There are useful types and harmful. Useful are involved in the process of photosynthesis, have a positive effect on the human digestive system, and are also very often used in industry.

The study of the morphology of microorganisms gives a general idea of their existence, and also provides an opportunity to learn their benefits and harm in those or other situations.

The standard cell of a bacterium consists of such components:

• Plasma membrane. This element of the cell is no different from the membrane of eukaryotes.

• Mesosome - a special component, with the help of which it is possible to attach a hereditary material to the cell.

• Nucleotide. It is not a fully formed core. It contains all the chromosomes.

• Ribosomes are special organoids, occupying about forty percent of the cellular space.

In addition to the elements listed above, the prokaryotic cell also includes a capsule, a cell wall and a mucous membrane. Many bacteria know how to move independently and cling to the surface. They do this with the help of special flagella and villi.

Morphology of microorganisms: microbiology of viruses, fungi and yeast

A virus is a special organism that does not have a cellular structure. Each of its particles consists of a shell, as well as information from the center of the core.

But the structure of the cells of fungi is more complicated than that of other microorganisms. The structure of their cells also includes nuclei and vacuoles. They are very similar in structure to vegetable ones, but they have a different shape. They look like long and branching threads, which are called hyphae. Usually such hyphae form a mycelium.

Yeast cells have all the elements of eukaryotes in the composition, but apart from this, they have other components. Their uniqueness lies in the fact that they possess the qualities of both animals and plants.

Exchange processes

Morphology and physiology of microorganisms allow us to understand the main stages of their life activity. Bacteria, just like more complex forms of life, synthesize lipids, fats and carbohydrates. But the processes that take place in their cells are different.

Scientists distinguish two types of eukaryotes: autotrophs and heterotrophs.

The first type is able to synthesize organic substances from inorganic compounds, while the second type produces processes of transformation of organic components.

Most often heterotrophs are parasitic microorganisms. They feed only at the expense of useful substances that enter 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 an important part of studying the life of bacteria. However, in addition to the structure of the cell, it is also necessary to take into account the types of metabolism. The constructive type was considered above. There is also an energy exchange.

Scientists distinguish such types of energy production:

• Photosynthesis. This procedure can be carried out in the presence of oxygen, and without it.

• Fermentation. This energy reaction is due to the detachment of molecules that transfer phosphoric acid to ADP.

• Breath. Microorganisms can breathe not only due to oxygen, but also with the help of organic and mineral compounds.

Transfer of hereditary information

There are several ways to transfer hereditary information to prokaryotes (morphology and systematics of microorganisms are also described in this article). Let's consider in detail each of them:

• Conjugation is a method of transferring hereditary information from one microorganism to another only by the method of their direct contact;

• Transformation - the type of transmission, during which donors share information with recipients;

• Transduction - a method of direct transmission of hereditary material with the help of phages.

Methods for studying the morphology of microorganisms

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 produced by electron and light microscopes. Experts have developed several methods for the most accurate results.

The morphological method of investigation allows us to consider with the help of a microscope the structure of the cell, as well as its mobility and the ability to reproduce.

The physiological method allows us 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 the microorganism in a nutrient medium. This technique allows you to identify the ability to grow and multiply.

The morphology of microorganisms (microbiology) is a very important science dealing with the study of bacteria and other unicellular organisms. Do not think that bacteria cause only harm to nature and the human body. This is far from the case. Without them, life on the planet Earth would be impossible.