General Microbiology

Recommended Prerequisites

Biology and basic Biochemistry.

Teaching Methods

The theoretical lessons are based in the classical model of knowledge transmission, using audio-visual presentation to illustrate the various subjects explained. During the class questions are asked in order to stimulate student participation and assess the learning outcomes. In this way dogmatic exposition limitations will be corrected allowing a pedagogic interaction between teacher and student.

In laboratory classes, students execute the works proposed in the laboratorial program, with help of a laboratory sheet available in the week prior to the realization of the work.

Learning Outcomes

From the point of view theoretical and practical contents students should:

a)  General knowledge of microorganisms, special procaryotic cell

b)  Knowing the function of different cellular components, with special attention to the targets of antimicrobial agents

c)   Understand how microorganism live in vivo and in vitro: microbial metabolism and genomics

d)   Perceive the microbial intervention in human world: concepts of Microbiology of Food, Environmental and Mycology.

From the point of view of abilities and skills students should:
a)   Apply in practice the knowledge acquired in theory
b)   Capability of working with the procaryotic cell in vitro
c)   Capacity and competence to perform various tasks in a microbiology laboratory
d)   Ability to recognize and realize the importance of microorganisms in the human life.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Light and electronic microscopes. Magnification and resolving power.

Prokaryotic cell structure: peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Composition of walls from: Gram positive, Gram negative, acid-fast bacteria.

Components external to cell wall. Components internal to CM

Microbial growth: growth curve, and methods to measure it; environmental factors; sterilization, disinfection and anti-sepsis.

Microbial metabolism; bacterial genetics.

Phylogeny and bacterial taxonomy.

Brief presentation of Food and Environmental Microbiology.

General characteristics of Fungi.

Fungal diseases: superficial, sub-cutaneous, systemic and opportunistic mycoses.

Microbial Morphology

Staining: Simple and Gram

Direct wet mount

Microbial growth

Measurement of microbial growth;environmental factors for microbial growth

Isolation of pure cultures

Fungi:

Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics

Identification of reproductive structures

Identification of Candida albicans by filamentation

Head Lecturer(s)

Olga Maria Antunes Rodrigues Carvalho Cardoso

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Other: Practical – written test (10%) and a laboratory evaluation (15%): 25.0%
Exam: 75.0%

Bibliography

Microbiologia. Wanda Ferreira, J. C. Sousa e Nelson Lima. Lidel  2010.

Microbiology -a Human Perspective Ed. Nester, E. W., Roberts, C. E., Pearsall, N. N. Anderson, D. G. and Nester, M. T. 5th ed. McGraw Hill, Inc. 2007.

Microbiology. Prescott, Harley and Klein ed. 6th ed. McGraw Hill, Inc. 2005.

Brock Biology of Microorganisms. Madigan, Martinko and Parker ed. 12th ed. Pearson International Edition. 2009.

Microbiology. An Evolving Science. Slonczewski and Foster ed. 1th ed. W. W. Norton 2009.