वर्ग Microbiology

1. Bacteria outnumber your cells

The human body contains more bacterial cells than human cells. In fact, it is estimated that there are 10 times as many bacterial cells in the human body as there are human cells. These bacteria help perform important bodily functions, such as aiding digestion and supporting the immune system.

2. You are carrying three pounds of bacteria

The average person carries around 3 pounds of bacteria in their body. This bacteria is found in different body parts, such as the skin, mouth, and digestive system. While some of these bacteria are beneficial, others can cause disease.

3. That accidental discovery saved many lives

Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic, penicillin by accident in 1928. Fleming was studying the growth of bacteria when he noticed that a mold had contaminated one of his culture plates. The mold produced a substance that killed the bacteria, and Fleming isolated this substance and named it penicillin.

4. Smoll bacteria, apparently called Mycoplasma genitalium 

The smallest known bacteria is Mycoplasma genitalium, which is just 0.3 micrometers in size. This is about 1/10 the size of a red blood cell, making it one of the smallest known organisms in the world. Despite its small size, it can still cause infection in humans.

5. They are good guys

Bacteria can help break down food and create important nutrients for the human body. Some bacteria, such as those found in the human gut, can break down complex carbohydrates and create short-chain fatty acids that are used by the body for energy. These bacteria can also help produce vitamins, such as B and K, essential for good health.

6. A sprinkle of history, shall we? 

The term “germ” was coined in the 19th century to describe the microorganisms that cause disease. Before this time, microorganisms were known as “animacules” or “little animals”. The term “germ” was originally used to describe the seeds of disease, but it was later applied to all microorganisms that cause illness.

7. 10,000 different species. Just to put it in perspective, every human being is a member of one species. 

There are over 10,000 different species of bacteria. These species are found in various environments, from the human body to soil and water. Some bacteria are beneficial to humans, while others can cause disease.

8. Harsh weather? What is that?

Bacteria can survive in extreme environments, such as boiling water, freezing temperatures, and even radioactive waste. This is because bacteria have evolved to adapt to their environment and can survive in conditions that would be lethal to other organisms.

9. Germs being bros

The human mouth contains over 700 different types of bacteria. These bacteria break down food and create byproducts that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene to keep these bacteria under control.

10. I mean, gotta reproduce, no?

Bacteria can reproduce incredibly quickly, with some species doubling in number every 20 minutes. This rapid reproduction allows bacteria to quickly spread and colonize new areas. It also makes it difficult to control bacterial infections, as the bacteria can quickly adapt to new environments and develop resistance to antibiotics.

Serial dilution is a technique used to reduce the concentration of a substance in a sample. It is commonly used in microbiology to determine the number of bacteria in a given sample, as well as to isolate and identify bacterial strains.

The process of serial dilution involves mixing a known volume of a sample with a known volume of a diluent, such as water or saline. This mixture is then transferred to a new container and mixed with an equal volume of diluent. This process is repeated multiple times, resulting in a series of progressively more dilute samples.

For example, if a sample contains 100 bacteria and is mixed with 10 ml of diluent, the resulting mixture will have a concentration of 10 bacteria per ml. If this mixture is then mixed with 10 ml of diluent, the resulting mixture will have a concentration of 1 bacteria per ml. This process can be repeated multiple times to create a series of progressively more dilute samples.

The number of bacteria in each dilution can be determined by plating a known volume of the dilution onto a Petri dish containing agar, a solid growth medium. The agar is incubated at a suitable temperature and conditions for the bacteria to grow and form colonies. The number of colonies that form on the agar can then be counted and used to calculate the number of bacteria in the original sample.

Serial dilution is a valuable tool in microbiology because it allows researchers to determine the concentration of bacteria in a sample, even if the sample contains a large number of bacteria. It is also useful for isolating and identifying bacterial strains, as different bacterial strains will form distinct colonies on the agar.

Additionally, serial dilution is used in the laboratory to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of an antimicrobial agent. The MIC is the lowest concentration of the agent that is able to inhibit the growth of bacteria. By performing a series of serial dilutions with the antimicrobial agent, researchers can determine the MIC and evaluate the effectiveness of the agent against different bacterial strains.