Eukaryotic cells are organisms or cells that have a membrane-bound nucleus. They are distinct group […]
CLASSIFICATION OF MUTATION BY THEIR EFFECTS ON THE DNA MOLECULE
Based on their effects on the structural integrity of the DNA molecule, mutations can be […]
MUTATION: definition, types and causes
The term mutation is derived from the Latin word “mutare” – which means “to change”. […]
Molecular Manipulation of Microorganisms: significance and applications
Microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, algae and viruses are important tools used for a wide variety […]
LIPOSOMES: relevance & applications
The phrase liposome is derived from two Greek words: Lipos which means “fat” and Soma […]
PORTAL OF ENTRY OF INFECTIOUS AGENTS INTO THE BODY
Pathogenic bacteria enter the human body in various ways and through various medium or routes. […]
HAZARD ANALYSIS CRITICAL CONTROL POINT (HACCP)
Hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) is an internationally recognized food safety system that is […]
INDICATOR ORGANISMS
Indicator organisms are microorganisms that signify the possible contamination of food or food products as […]
Feeding the Future: How Single Cell Proteins Can Help Solve Global Malnutrition
As the global population races past 8 billion and continues to rise, the urgency to […]
FOOD POISONING
Food poisoning/food infection is defined as the microbial infection or disease that is caused by […]
FOOD BORNE DISEASES
Food borne diseases are diseases caused by the ingestion of food borne pathogens. They are […]
SOURCES OF MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF FOOD
Microbial contamination of food is almost inevitable owing to the ubiquity of microorganisms – which […]
EXTRINSIC FACTORS OF FOOD SPOILAGE
Extrinsic factors of food spoilage are the non-substrate factors that affect the spoilage of foods […]
INTRINSIC FACTORS OF FOOD SPOILAGE
Intrinsic factors of food spoilage are those inherent factors that are associated with the food […]
FOOD SPOILAGE
What is food spoilage? Food spoilage is simply defined as the change in the overall […]
Collection and processing of various clinical samples in the microbiology lab
COLLECTION OF SPUTUM Sputum specimens are collected from patient’s suspected to have respiratory disorders example […]
Specimen Collection in Microbiology Lab
The sample collection unit is one of the most important units in the clinical microbiology […]
GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE (GLP)
Good laboratory practice (GLP) is simply defined as a laboratory quality measure or protocol that […]
CLASSIFICATION OF MICROORGANISMS BASED ON HAZARDS AND LABORATORY
Pathogenic microorganisms inclusive of viruses, bacteria, and fungi portends health challenges to the general public […]
IMPORTANCE OF MICROORGANISMS
Microorganisms are studied for diverse reasons. These microscopic forms of life play tremendous significant roles […]
IMMUNOGLOBULIN D (IgD)
Immunoglobulin D (IgD) is an antibody with the basic four polypeptide structure of an immunoglobulin […]
IMMUNOGLOBULIN G (IgG)
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is a monomeric antibody and the most predominant immunoglobulin in secondary (memory) […]
IMMUNOGLOBULIN E (IgE)
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an antibody that is known to bind to host tissue cells […]
IMMUNOGLOBULIN M (IgM)
Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is an antibody that mainly exist as a pentamer i.e. it consists […]
COLOSTRUM
Colostrum is the first secretion of the mammary gland (breast) produced before proper lactation commences […]
IMMUNOGLOBULIN A (IgA)
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is an antibody found in serum (as a monomer of about 150,000 […]
TYPES OF ANTIBODIES
Immunoglobulins do not actually kill or eliminate pathogenic microorganisms or antigens from the body. The […]
ANTIBODIES (Immunoglobulins)
Antibodies are soluble protein molecules produced by the B cells of the immune system in […]
CHARACTERISTICS OF ANTIGENS
However antigenic a foreign molecule/substance may be, to be immunogenic and qualify to be called […]
CARE OF THE MICROSCOPE
Due to the critical role of microscope in microbiological and other biomedical researchers, it is […]
TYPES OF MICROSCOPES
There abound several numbers of microscopes that can be used by a microscopist to view […]
FUNCTIONS OF THE PARTS OF A MICROSCOPE
The microscope has various parts that perform specific function; and it is important that scientists […]
DNA VIRUSES
DNA viruses have only the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules as their nucleic acid; and the […]
REPLICATION IN VIRUSES – viral replication
Replication is defined as the process in which a cell divides to make copies of […]
MORPHOLOGY OF VIRUSES
The morphology of viruses refers to the structural organization, shape, size, and physical components of viral particles. […]
VIRAL COMPOSITIONS
Viruses are infectious agents that have a simple acellular structure that is mainly made up […]
METHODS USED FOR THE INACTIVATION OF VIRUSES
Several reasons exist for the inactivation of viruses I either to use them for a […]
CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF VIRUSES
Viruses have several physicochemical properties including pH, molecular size or mass, stability to heat and […]
Bacterial Transformation (The Transforming Principle)
Fredrick Griffith showed in 1928 that deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the genetic material of the […]
RIBONUCLEIC ACID (RNA)
An understanding of the nucleic acid molecules which include deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid […]
PROTEIN STRUCTURE – types and function
Proteins are a group of polypeptides that form a molecule of specific biological function; and […]
PURINES & PYRIMIDINES
Purines are heterocyclic aromatic organic compound that consist of a pyrimidine ring fused to an […]
NUCLEOTIDES
Nucleotides are nucleosides with one or more phosphate groups covalently attached to the 3′ or […]
Mechanisms for uptake of nutrients by microorganisms – diffusion & active transport
Microbial cells employ a variety of mechanisms to uptake nutrients (including macromolecules, inorganic ions, water […]
NUTRITIONAL GROUPS OF MICROORGANISMS
Living organisms vary in terms of their mode of nutrition i.e. how they feed or […]
Microbial (Bacterial) Nutrition
Bacterial Nutritionis importantfor the optimum growth of the organism because it is the only means […]
CORYNEBACTERIUM DIPHTHERIAE
Corynebacterium diphtheriae is a Gram-positive, non-spore forming, aerobic, rod-shaped and motile bacterium that causes diphtheria, […]
VIBRIO CHOLERAE
Vibrio cholerae is a Gram-negative, oxidase positive, spiral, non-spore forming, facultative, motile, curved or straight […]