Microbial Physiology

BMY 3103
Semester 1, 2016/2017

Monday : 10 12 noon (BS Biotech 1.3)

Wednesday : 9 10 am (DK Biotech 1.2)
Course coordinator: Dr. Suriana Sabri
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Raja Noor Zaliha Raja Abd Rahman
Dr. Adelene Song

Course outcome
Membezakan pelbagai proses
penjanaan dan penggunaan tenaga
(C6)
Menerangkan tindak balas enzim dan
biosintesis biomolekul mikrob (A3)
Menghuraikan konsep asas mengenai
fisiologi dan metabolisme mikrob
(P2)
Membentangkan kertas kerja secara
berkumpulan (TS, CS)

Teaching plan
Refer to RP file

Introduction to
Microbial Physiology

What is microbial
physiology?
Definition of physiology:
The science of normal functions and phenomena
of living things, in other words the science of the
processes of life (Concise Oxford Dictionary)
A science which treats of the underlying physical
and chemical foundations of vital processes
(Science Encyclopedia)
The study of the structure and functions of living
organisms and their components. At the cellular
level, a broad definition will encompass cell
structure, metabolism, genetics, and growth

What is microbial
physiology?
Definition of microorganisms:
Any organism of microscopic dimensions
Microorganisms range from extremely small, unicellular
forms such as bacteria to larger forms such as
protozoa, fungi, and algae
Representative of microorganisms:

Gram negative bacteria :

Gram positive bacteria :
Slime mould :
Yeast :
Filamentous fungus :
Algae :
Protozoa :

Why do we focus on
bacteria?
Prokaryotes: Bacteria / Archeae
Unity in biochemistry : most of the metabolic
pathways that exist in the prokaryotes are the
same as those in all living organisms
Interesting phenomena:
High rates of metabolism and reproduction
Diversity: adaptation to different habitat and
nutrients (some extreme conditions)
To cope environmental challenges unicellularly:
feast-or-famine (abrupt fluctuations in several
physical and chemical characteristics)

Abrupt fluctuations in physical and

chemical characteristics
Temperature
Amount of moisture (osmotic pressure)
Availability and nature of organic nutrients
and of inorganic salts need for growth
pH
Oxygen tension
Presence of toxic chemicals
Radiation
Hydrostatic pressure

Relationship with other

disciplines
Biochemistry: enzymology and bichemical
processes/physiological meanings
Microbial genetics: a field unto itself /
applications of techniques and principles of
genetics
Microbial ecology: study of microogranism
in their natural; environments / different
habitats and nutritional types
Microbial systematics: taxonomy and
evolution (phylogeny)

Why do we study the microbial

physiology?
Basic research : Basic tools in
understanding of life processes,
largely because they can be grown
and manipulated with relative ease
Application: Industrial microbiology,
Food microbiology, Agricultural
microbiology, Medial microbiology,
Environmental microbiology