Staining Methods In Microbiology Introduction,Microorganisms,Microscope,Submicroscopic,Electron microscope,Betterment mankind

Staining Methods In Microbiology Introduction

	Introduction The science of microbiology is the study of microorganisms and their activities. Microorganisms are generally regarded as living forms those are microscopic in size and relatively simple in structure. Some of these microorganisms are submicroscopic in size and they require yet greater magnification in order to be seen. This can be attained by using electron microscope.
Microorganisms provide specific systems for the investigation of the physiological, biochemical and genetical reactions, required to understand the molecular basis of life. Because of the ease with which they can be grown and manipulated, they are successfully exploited for the betterment of mankind. The applied areas of microbiology are very well documented in the literature (1-4). It is estimated that in this century alone, due to the application of investigations in microbiology, the life expectancy has been increased by about fifty per cent.
The most accepted classification system of living organisms is the five kingdom concept proposed by Whittaker (5). BergeY's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, 8th edition has accepted this concept and used widely as the reference standard (6). Microorganisms are found in three of the five kingdoms, for example, kingdom-Monera (blue green algae and bacteria), kingdom-Protista (microalgae and protozoa) and kingdom Fungi (yeasts and molds).
The diameter of the smallest object that can be seen by naked eye is about 100 mm. Most microorganisms are smaller than this and therefore, they should be sufficiently magnified before their study. Microscopic organisms were not seen however, until Antony van Leeuwenhoek (Figure 1-1) made microscopes with sufficient magnification and the science of microbiology began with his letter in the philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London in 1677. The microscopes, now available in various types permit a wide range of magnifications. They are discussed in detail in the subsequent chapter Microscopic examination is usually the first step taken in the identification of an unknown microorganism from the natural specimen. Depending upon the morphological features of the organism in question, it is allocated to one or other major groups. Morphology of the microorganisms can be studied by examining them microscopically either in the living state or as dried, fixed and stained smear of the organisms.

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Staining Methods In Microbiology Introduction