Download BIO 205 General Microbiology

Revised 11/2010
NOVA COLLEGE-WIDE COURSE CONTENT SUMMARY
BIO 205 - GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY (4 CR.)
Course Description
Examines morphology, genetics, physiology, ecology, and control of microorganisms. Emphasizes application
of microbiological techniques to selected fields. Lecture 3 hours. Recitation and laboratory 3 hours. Total 6
hours per week.
General Course Purpose
This is a one semester college transfer-level course designed to meet the needs of science majors. The
student is introduced to the morphology, genetics, physiology, ecology, and control of microorganisms, as well
as to the nature of infectious diseases and immunity. Standard microbiological techniques for isolating,
culturing, handling, examining, and identifying microorganisms are acquired. A basic understanding of the
biology of microorganisms might be useful to individual planning careers involving pure and/or applied
research, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of pathogenic disease, food handling and/or processing,
agriculture, industrial processes utilizing microbes, water purification, etc.
Course Prerequisites/Co-requisites
Prerequisites are CHM 111, 112 and two of the following: BIO 101, 102, 110, 120, 141, 142 or division
approval.
Course Objectives
The list of objectives given below is not intended to be comprehensive, but rather to serve as foundation upon
which to build.
Lecture
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
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list, classify, and contrast the main categories of microorganisms
draw and label the parts of a “typical” bacterial cell, giving possible functions for each part
contrast eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
distinguish between and give examples of autotrophic and heterotrophic forms of nutrition; between
lithotrophic and organotrophic sources of carbon
draw a typical growth curve and describe its phases
discuss how oxygen levels, temperature, pH, and the osmotic environment may affect microbial growth
contrast bacterial transduction, bacterial transformation, and bacterial conjugation
describe the structure and nature of nucleic acids
relate the terms DNA, gene, chromosomes, and mutation
describe protein synthesis
outline the operon hypothesis of microbial gene control
list and discuss at least six properties of enzymes
describe the basic principles and techniques involved in “genetic engineering” and relate at least
three areas in which DNA recombinant technology may bear valuable fruit
list the important events of and/or the significance of the following pathways associated with
microbial metabolism
• Glycolysis
• Krebs cycle
• Alcoholic fermentation
• Lactic acid fermentation
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• Electron transport system
• Aerobic respiration
• Anaerobic respiration
contrast photosynthesis in green plants with that of:
• Cyanobacteria
• Sulfur bacteria
describe the roles and associations of microorganisms in ecosystems
list and discuss the principle reasons for and methods of controlling and/or eliminating
microorganisms
provide the following for selected diseases caused by microorganisms:
• Causative organism
• Occurrence
• Reservoir
• Mode of transmission
• Incubation period
• Period of communicability
• Method of control including specific treatment
outline and describe the human body’s defensive mechanisms against infectious diseases
list and describe at least five examples of the uses of microorganisms in applied microbiology
Laboratory
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
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use aseptic technique in handling microorganisms
use standard techniques for quantitative measurement of microbial growth
apply standard microbiological techniques to the isolation, cultivation and identification of
microorganisms
Major Topics to be Included
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Microbial taxonomy
• Archaebacteria
• Cyanobacteria
• Photo bacteria
• Eubascteria
o gram negative
o gram positive
• Fungi
• Protozoa
Techniques used in microbial taxonomy
Microbial staining techniques
Microbial cell structure, eukaryotic and prokaryotic
Microbial nutrition and cultivation
Microbial growth and cell division
Microbial metabolism: enzymes, cell energetics, cellular biosynthesis
Microbial genetics, genetic engineering
Control and elimination of microbes
Microbial ecology
Medical microbiology: pathogens, infectious diseases, immunity
Viruses (taxonomy, infection cycle, temperate vs. Lytic, medical significance)
Applied microbiology: food, dairy, industrial, pharmaceutical
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Optional Topics
The instructor may wish to include coverage of eukaryotic algae and parasitic worms.
Field Trips:
Field trips may be taken to one or more of the following places depending upon the time
available and student interests.
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American Type Culture Collection
Anaerobe Lab, V.P.I. & State University
National Agricultural Library
National Institutes of Health
Local brewery
Local dairy
Local research and development firm
Local water purification plant
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