LAMINAR FLOW BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINET

Laminar flow biological safety cabinet is an air filtration system which protects a laboratory worker from microorganisms or contamination by cells being handled within the cabinet. The laminar flow biological safety cabinet also protects the laboratory room or environment where the work is done from potential danger and aerosols emanating from harmful microorganisms. Work done […]

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Techniques in Microbiology Lab, , , ,

MAJOR SCOPE / AREAS OF MICROBIOLOGY

Industrial Microbiology The use of microbes by man to produce beneficial products is an ancient practice that has continued till date. Industrial microbiology is the branch of microbiology that uses microbes to produce industrial products in large quantities. Here, the potentials of microorganisms are harnessed for industrial productions and for other related services. Some microorganisms

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Careers in Microbiology, General Microbiology, , , ,

RESPONSES OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

The immune system is a complex system which consists of collection of cells, organs, tissues and molecules that work together to protect an organism or animal from disease and invading foreign agent’s (i.e. pathogens). For the immune system to function properly and constantly keep the integrity of the human body intact and free from microbes, it

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Immunology & Immune System, , , , ,

RESOLUTION AND MAGNIFICATION: THE OPTICS BEHIND THE MICROSCOPE

Resolution is the ability of a microscope’s lens to distinguish between (two) small objects that are close together as distinct and separate. It is the ability of a lens system to allow an observer (the microbiologist) to see fine details of different small objects even when they are close together. The resolution (resolving power) of

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Microscopy & Microscope, , , ,

Characteristics of Viruses

WAYS IN WHICH VIRUSES DIFFER FROM OTHER LIVING CELLS Viruses as differ tremendously from other unicellular microorganisms in several ways and these unique features of viruses are as follows: References Acheson N.H (2011). Fundamentals of Molecular Virology. Second edition. John Wiley and Sons Limited, West Sussex, United Kingdom. Alan J. Cann (2005). Principles of Molecular

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Virology, , ,

ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE

Aseptic technique refers to all the quality control and precautionary measures taken by microbiologists in the laboratory in order to ensure that all working apparatuses are germ-free. It involves numerous processes taken to reduce or prevent the contamination of microbial cultures, reagents and culture media. Aseptic techniques also include all other precautionary measures taken to

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Techniques in Microbiology Lab, , ,

MICROBIAL COUNT: Total Count & Viable Count

Viable cell count: Viable cell count gives an estimate of the total number of living cells present in a given volume of a sample. Viable cell count can be determined by automated machines and with the use of counting chambers such as the haemocytometer (Figure 1) in the microbiology laboratory. Haemocytometers are routinely used in

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Microbe Lab, Microbial Physiology & Metabolism, Techniques in Microbiology Lab, , , , , , , , , , , ,

CENTRAL DOGMA (FRAMEWORK) OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

The central framework of molecular biology otherwise known as the “central dogma” is the starting point for the actual course of movement of genetic information within the cell’s nucleus of an organism. The transfer of genetic information within the cell of an organism (i.e. in the nucleus) from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to ribonucleic acid (RNA)

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Biotechnology, Molecular Microbiology, , , , , , , ,

SHAPES / MORPHOLOGY OF BACTERIA

All bacterial cells are extremely infinitesimal (i.e. microscopic), and are never visible to the naked eyes. Bacteria exist in different sizes and shapes which may range from 0.1 µm to 0.3 µm wide and 1 µm to 10 µm in length depending on whether they are rod or spherical in shape (Figure 1). Bacteria occur

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Bacteriology, , , , , , ,

MICROBIAL METABOLITES: Primary Metabolites & Secondary Metabolites

Microbial metabolites are metabolic intermediate molecules synthesized by microorganisms during and after their growth. They are the metabolic intermediates of the biosynthetic and degradative pathways of microorganisms Microbes synthesize metabolites or metabolic intermediates at an increasing rate; and these metabolites are usually harvested or recovered by industrial processes usually at the end of the fermentation

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Biotechnology, Industrial Microbiology, , ,