Microbiology is a discipline that is part of the life sciences group and that focuses on microorganisms, the beings considered the smallest. Through this article that we propose from EcolgíaVerde, we explain what is microbiology and its branches. One clue before: the term "microbiology" comes from the conjunction of three different Greek terms: micros, what does small mean + bios, what does life mean + logos, which means treatise, study, science. If you want to know more about which are the branches of microbiology and what each one studies, we encourage you to continue reading!
What is microbiology and what is it responsible for?
Microbiology is defined as the experimental science that studies microorganisms in their nature, life and action. Microorganisms, also known as microbe or microscopic organism, are all that set of living beings that cannot be seen with the naked eye, since their small size is below the resolving power of the human eye and, therefore, they require a microscope to be observed. These include bacteria, fungi, viruses, protists, among others, in relation to man and his activities, or with animals, plants or among themselves, and are studied.
Are distinguished different branches of microbiology, depending on its application or the type of microorganism it covers:
- Bacteriology
- Phycology
- Mycology
- Protozoology
- parasitology
- Virology
Bacteriology
Bacteriology is the branch of microbiology that is focused on study of bacteria, which are unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms of a structure that we can consider relatively simple. Also includes the study of diseases that these cause.
We recommend you learn more about these beings with these other posts about: Are bacteria living beings? and Types of bacteria.
Phycology
Also known as algology, this branch is dedicated to study of algae, photosynthetic organisms of aquatic life. It studies both cell structure, function, life cycles and ecology, as well as other properties of algae.
Here you can know the Classification of algae and in this other link the unicellular algae: what they are, characteristics, types and examples.
Mycology
Study mushrooms, which are chemoheterotrophic eukaryotic microorganisms. They can be unicellular or they can be multicellular. Includes molds and yeasts. This branch is considered one of the most extensive and diversified, which contributes great advances to scientific research and technological development.
Here you can see more information about the kingdom to which the fungi studied by mycology belong: Kingdom Fungi: what it is, characteristics, classification and examples.
Protozoology
It is one of the new branches of microbiology which is based on taxonomy. Protozoology is focused on study of protozoaMore complex, single-celled organisms that include amoeboids, ciliates, sporozans, and flagellates.
Learn more about them by knowing better the kingdom they belong to: Protista Kingdom: what it is, characteristics, classification and examples.
parasitology
This branch focuses on the study of living parasitic organisms and its relationship with the environment, as well as the diseases that these cause and that affect plants, humans and animals. In this link you can learn about Parasitism: definition and examples.
Virology
This branch is dedicated to study of viruses. Viruses are submicroscopic agents and obligate unicellular parasites, characterized by presenting a single type of nucleid acid surrounded by a protein coat. Virology includes the study of the classification, evolution, structure and ways that viruses infect.
We recommend you read these other posts if you want to learn more about the subject: Are viruses living beings? and the Difference between viruses and bacteria.
Types of microbiology
There are numerous types of microbiology, each of them is specialized in a specific field of study.
- Medical microbiology: focuses on the study of disease-causing microorganisms (that is, pathogens), as well as defining strategies for the prevention and control of infectious diseases.
- Sanitary microbiology: Within this type we can mainly differentiate two others: the food's microbiology, which studies microorganisms in food, both the beneficial and harmful effects they cause, and the water microbiology, which addresses the microorganisms in the waters with the aim of obtaining water of optimum quality, as well as the use of microorganisms for the regeneration of the waters.
- Agricultural microbiology: treats microorganisms for the fertilization of soils, as well as all the beneficial and harmful effects of microorganisms for agriculture.
- Veterinary microbiology: focuses on infectious diseases caused by microorganisms in pets and animals, also studying ways of prevention and control.
- Industrial microbiology: There are numerous products that are obtained through microbial metabolism, and this is where this type of microbiology participates.
- Space microbiology: microbiology goes further and also covers the possible existence of microorganisms in outer space, as well as the use of microorganisms for topics related to spacecraft.
Importance of microbiology
Microbiology is considered one of the major disciplines in biology, since it allows to identify how some of these organisms cause diseases, discover cures for these diseases and even use some microbes for industrial purposes.
In addition, this importance also lies in the fact that microorganisms are found in practically all the natural elements that exist on the planet and, our lives, as well as those of plants and animals, are intrinsically linked to these microbes. These living beings are constantly recycling key nutrients, such as carbon or nitrogen, as well as degrading organic matter and contributing to the configuration of our day-to-day life. Thus, microorganisms affect our world in different ways.
First of all, microbes keep the planet healthy, since they ensure a continuous recycling of minerals and nutrients and, at the same time, play a crucial role in maintaining the oxygenated atmosphere. On the other hand, microbes are vital to agriculture and the soils that support crops and livestock. They also help keep outbreaks of certain infectious diseases under control. In pharmacology, microbes are used in many useful products, from antibiotics to solvents to preservatives. Finally, microbiology has become an indispensable tool for biotechnology and also for genetic engineering in the last decades.
Now that you have discovered the branches of mycorbiology and what each one studies, as well as the importance of this great branch of science, I encourage you to learn more about these others:
- Branches of biology and what they study.
- Branches of botany and what each one studies.
- The branches of zoology and what each one studies.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is microbiology and its branches, we recommend that you enter our category of Other environment.
Bibliography- BROCK, T.D. (1961): Milestones in Microbiology (1975 reissue). American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C.
- OpenCourseWare project (OCW). (2022). Introduction to oral microbiology. Recovered from: https://ocw.ehu.eus/
- Labmate Online. (2022). Why is Microbiology important ?. Recovered from: https://www.labmate-online.com/
