• Question: What's microbiology?

    Asked by themilkywackoo73KSI to Ceri, Marikka, Matt, Rob, Sally on 12 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Ceri Dare

      Ceri Dare answered on 12 Nov 2014:

      The study of things like bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, which cause infections.

      You can read more about microbiology in the NHS here: http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/healthcare-science/careers-in-healthcare-science/careers-in-life-sciences/microbiology/

    • Photo: Sally Cutler

      Sally Cutler answered on 12 Nov 2014:

      Microbiology is a general term that includes the study of microorganisms including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and helminths. Although you don’t need a microscope to see them all, it certainly helps with their study. Hope this helps.

    • Photo: Marikka Beecroft

      Marikka Beecroft answered on 12 Nov 2014:

      The study of micro-organisms or microbes. Microbes is a term that covers a HUGE range of different organisms/living things. These include, bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa (single cells eukaryotes) and archaea (ancient organisms bacteria are thought to have evolved from). Not all parasites are considered micro-organisms though!

    • Photo: Robert Hampson

      Robert Hampson answered on 12 Nov 2014:

      ‘Micro-‘ is from the greek work ‘mikros’ which means ‘small’. Generally a word with ‘micro’ in it refers to something small. Words with nano in refer to something extremely small. If you can see something under a pwerful microscope it probably counts as micro, if you can’t see it even under a microscope, it may be nano sized.

      Therefore, microbiology is the study of small biological stuff. Generally it focuses on bacteria, fungi, parasites, and their interaction with human cells.

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