Learning objectives
The objective of this course is to provide students with an introduction to the microbial world—a world that cannot be seen with the naked eye. In lectures students will be introduced to the physiology, diversity/ecology, metabolism, and genetics of bacteria
Course unit content
Introduction to microorganisms, particularly bacteria and viruses, their physiology and metabolism.
Full programme
Microbiological techniques: light and electron microscopy, simple and differential staining procedures. Structure of the microbial cells at different evolution levels (Eukarya, Bacteria, Archaea). Comparative analysis and description of structures and functions of procaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Microbial nutrition: common nutritional requirments, growth factors, nutrient uptake, culture media, sterilization, pure cultures. Microbial growth: influence of aerobiosis,anaerobiosis, temperature, pH etc. on microbial growth. Microbial population growth , methods for growth measurement, continuous coltures (chemostat and turbidostat). Microbial metabolism and metabolic diversity: energy production, aerobic and anaerobic respiration, fermentation, oxigenic and anoxigenic photosynthesis, chemolithoautotrophy. Biosynthesis. Metabolism regulation at transcriptional level, translational level, feed-back inhibition. Microbial genetics: bacterial genome, mutation and mutants, genetic recombination in prokaryotes (transformation, conjugation, transduction). Plasmids and transposable elements. Microbial evolution and systematics. Prokaryotic diversity (Bacteria and Archaea), Fungi, Algae, Protista Immune response. Structure and Composition of Viruses; viral morphology; viral envelopes; chemical composition of virons; classification and nomenclature of viruses; viral replication; mechanisms of infection.Virus of prokaryotes, Virus of eukaryotes.
Bibliography
Dehò & Galli “Biologia dei Microrganismi” Casa Editrice Ambrosiana (2011)
Prescott et al“Microbiologia “ 7/ed volumi 1-2-3 McGraw-Hill Companies srl (2009)
Madigan et al. “Brock, Biologia dei Microrganismi” volumi 1-2-3 Casa Editrice Ambrosiana (2007)
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam is organised in a written test composed of 26 short questions (with a short answer) and 6 open questions for a total value of 33. During the teaching period there is the possibility of splitting the test. The total value of the written test corresponds to 30/30 and lode.
The oral examination is necessary for all the students who have got less than 33 points with a minimum of 15. The oral examination adds maximum 3 point to the test total score.
Other information
Group test simulation in class
