Germs are what? Classification of microorganisms

Microbes are the smallest living, mostly single-celled organisms that can be seen only through a very precise microscope. Their size is so small that it is measured in micrometers (1 μm = 1/1000 mm) or even nanometers (1 nm = 1/1000 μm).

What does microbiology study

Microbiology is called a science that explores the sphere of life of microorganisms: structure, functioning, conditions of life, development and reproduction.

The first person who managed to examine and describe microbes was the Dutchman A. Levenguk. At the end of the 17th century he made lenses that magnified the image more than 200 times. He was shocked that he saw through them that microbes are a whole world with its own peculiarities of existence. This was the basis of a new science - microbiology. Levenguk illustrated and described the detected microbes. Photos and pictures with their image of those times - photographed magnifications through a microscope.

Types of microbes

The countless variety of species of microorganisms is impressive. Microbes are the short name of hundreds of their most diverse types. They differ in appearance, structure, living conditions, ability to reproduce. Distinguish between noncellular, multicellular and unicellular microbes. Photos with their visualization help to easily relate each individual to a particular species. Classification of microbes :

• Bacteria;
• Viruses;
• Phages;
• Mushrooms;
• Microalgae;
• Protozoa;
• yeast.

Bacteria

A whole section of microbiology - bacteriology - reveals to us a huge world of bacteria - prokaryotic organisms. From eukaryotes (multicellular, protozoa, algae, fungi) they are distinguished by the absence of chlorophyll, a formed nucleus with genetic material and organelles. The size of the bacterium is not constant, it can vary depending on the external environment (from 0.1 to 28 microns). The most popular classification of bacteria - according to the morphological structure.

Kokki

Kokkami is called spherical microbes, which can take a spherical, bean-shaped, ellipsoidal or lanceolate shape.

1. Micrococci can be located one at a time, in pairs or randomly. They are called saprophytes, they live in water and air.
2. Diplococci reproduce by dividing in one plane into two pieces. These include meningococci (meningitis carriers) and gonococci.
3. Streptococci likewise divide in one plane, but in whole chains. Known pathogenic to the human body species that transmit angina and various erysipelas.
4. Tetracocci are arranged in two pieces on two planes, mutually perpendicular. Pathogens are very rare.
5. Sardines are characteristic bales of cells of 8, 16 or more on three mutually perpendicular planes. Almost all of their representatives live exclusively in the air.
6. Staphylococcus can divide simultaneously in several planes, located randomly relative to each other, in appearance resemble grape clusters.

Rodlike

Cylindrical microorganisms occur much more often than other species. They are divided into bacteria that do not have the ability to form spores (diphtheria, dysentery, tuberculosis, partiphase, E. coli), and bacilli, capable of creating spores (anthrax, hay, tetanus, anaerobic). Classification by division method:

• Diplobacteria, diplobacillus differ in the arrangement in only one plane of two cells (pneumonia).
• Streptobacteria, streptobacilli in the process of division occupy one plane, on which they build an entire chain (anthrax).
• The main part of the cylindrical microbes are arranged systematically on one individual.

Crimped

Crimson microbes can take the form of a comma, these are vibrios (for example, cholera). Spirillas have several curls, spirochetes are thin crimped sticks (syphilis).

It is important to note that all microbes and bacteria are polymorphic, they have a unique ability to change their shape under the influence of a variety of factors: the external environment, temperature, acidity, etc. It is this ability that underlies many laboratory studies of microbes aimed at developing medicines that Will help in the future to fight with pathogenic bacteria for humans.

Viruses

Viruses are a vast community of microbes that differ from others in the absence of a cell structure as such. From the sizes it is incommensurable less than the sizes of bacteria: from 5 up to 150 nanometers. To see them, you will have to adjust the electron microscope to the highest level of accuracy. Most representatives of viral microorganisms consist only of protein and nucleic acid (RNA, DNA).

Some microbes and viruses can be the causative agents of many severe human diseases (influenza, hepatitis, measles). In addition, there are species, pathogenic and for animals (plague, foot and mouth disease).

Mycophagi are mushroom viruses. Bacteriophages are viruses of bacteria, they live almost everywhere, where there is at least some kind of life. Some phages have a very useful ability to destroy a microbial cell, so they are often used in the manufacture of drugs for the prevention and treatment of infections of various types.

Rickettsia is a special kind of microbes that can be attributed to both bacteria and viruses. These are immobilized rod-shaped intracellular parasites, unable to form spores or capsules.

Mushrooms

These are special microorganisms of plant origin, devoid of chlorophyll and the ability to synthesize organic substances. Moreover, for their life already ready organic substances are required, therefore practically all of them grow on the basis of substrates of different origin. There are some species of fungi pathogenic for humans, animals and plants.

Fungi differ from bacteria in that their cells are more similar to plant cells, they have nuclei and vacuoles. They are represented in the form of hyphae - long threads that can branch and intertwine.

Mushrooms can be multiplied in several ways: vegetative division, asexual and sexual - the formation of spores. Spores of fungi are characterized by high resistance, they can live for a long time in different environments and move at great distances until they enter a nutrient medium where they quickly transform into hyphae.

Moldy mushrooms are very common, they can be easily seen with unaided eyes on spoiled food products. They look like a waxy coating of a non-uniform color. There are some kinds of mushrooms that do not just spoil the foods, they produce toxic for humans and animals, moxin, such as aspergillus or fusarium.

However, fungi are not always harmful, their numerous useful properties are successfully used by manufacturers of medical products. The most effective and popular antibiotic penicillin is made on the basis of fungi from the penicillium species.

Actinomycetes are an exceptional species of microorganisms that have the structure and properties of bacteria and a method of reproduction similar to fungi.

Yeast

They are immobilized unicellular microbes measuring 10 to 15 μm in size, which can have round, oval, in rare cases cylindrical and crescent shape. Yeast is similar to fungi in its structure, contain a vacuole and a nucleus. Possible ways of reproduction - division, budding or with the help of spores. They develop rapidly in soil, food, plants. Yeast on the surface of food causes them to ferment and sour. Alcoholic fermentation transforms sugar into alcohol, this process is the basis of the alcohol industry and home winemaking.

There are pathogenic for the human body types. For example, a fairly common genus of yeast candida promotes the spread of an unpleasant disease - candidiasis.

Useful microbes in the human body

The human body is inhabited by trillions of different bacteria, which can be both harmful and useful. There are bacteria that are vital for the normal functioning of our body. The total weight of bacteria in an adult can reach 4 kg, and ¾ of them live in our intestines. The rest feel great in the genitourinary system, on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. It is interesting that the body of the child is populated by microorganisms already in the process of its birth, and by the age of 10 the intestinal microflora has already been fully formed. Some germs for children are extremely dangerous, so the first year of life the hygiene of the child's body should be very thorough.

What microbes live in the intestine:

• Lactobacilli;
• Bifidobacteria;
• Streptococci;
• Enterobacteria;
• Mushrooms;
• Protozoa;
• Viruses.

Benefits of bacteria for humans

1. With the help of enterobacteria the body absorbs vitamins B, C, K, nicotinic and folic acid.
2. Help to digest unsplit food.
3. Maintain ionic and water-salt metabolism.
4. Contain the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.
5. Contribute to the maintenance of immunity.
6. Develop a lymphoid apparatus.
7. Reduce the sensitivity of the intestinal wall to carcinogenic products.
8. Increase virus resistance.
9. Actively participate in the heat balance.

Bifido- and lactobacilli occupy more than half of the intestinal microflora, they play an important role in the life of a healthy person:

1. Lactic acid and acetate, produced with the participation of these microorganisms, can create such an environment in the intestine, in which pathogens can not live.
2. Bifidobacteria - a natural antihistamine, suppresses allergic reactions in the body.
3. They have an antioxidant effect and fight the growth of tumor cells.
4. Bifidobacteria actively participate in the production of B vitamins.
5. Bifido- and lactobacilli contribute to an increase in the percentage of human absorption of iron, calcium, and vitamin D.

The Importance of Microbes for Nature

Bacteria containing ammonifying enzymes initiate the process of decay of human, animal, plant and food waste. During the decomposition of protein, very important gases are released into the atmosphere: ammonia and nitrogen, which are vital for humans, animals, and plants.

Urobacteria can disintegrate urea, produced daily by every human and animal. And this, by the way, is at least 55 million tons every year.

Microbes, capable of nitration, oxidize ammonia. Denitrifying microorganisms contribute to the release of molecular oxygen from the soil.

Carbon is one of the most important cellular substances in the world of plants and animals. Fiber, which is eaten by many animals, contains a lot of carbon. In their stomachs, with the help of cellulose bacteria, it is fermented and comes out with manure back into nature. Thus, the land receives humus, becomes much more fertile, and the atmosphere is saturated with carbonic acid.

Thus, bacteria and microbes are a very important part of the whole living world. A lot of useful bacteria constantly accompany a person throughout life and protect our body from unwanted external influences. It is very important not to disturb the delicate and fragile balance between beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms.