Ames test it is a biological assay to assess the mutagenic potential of chemical compounds. It utilizes bacteria to test whether a given chemical can cause mutations in the DNA of the test organism. The test was developed by Bruce N. Ames in 1970s to determine if … Read more
Fungal cell membranes have a unique sterol, ergosterol, which replaces cholesterol found in mammalian cell membranes. An antifungal agent is a drug that selectively eliminates fungal pathogens from a host with minimal toxicity to the host. 1. Polyene antibiotics The poleyenes possess a macrocyclic ring, … Read more
Antibiotics (Greek anti, “against”; bios, “life”) are chemical compounds used to kill or inhibit the growth of infectious organisms. An antibiotic was originally defined in the 1940s as a substance produced by one microorganism which, in low concentrations, inhibited the growth of other microorganisms. Antibiotics … Read more
The antigen used to define serological test of Salmonella include Somatic O antigen, Flagellar H antigen and Vi antigen (Capsular antigen). Some of the differences between O Antigen and H Antigen are as follows: S.N. Characteristics O Antigen H Antigen 1. Types Somatic Antigen Flagellar … Read more
Here are the list of top 10 Microbiology Journals based on their impact factor of 2015. These are only the name and some description of the journals with their website link. Name and Description of the journal is given in this page for the educational … Read more
Spread plate technique is the method of isolation and enumeration of microorganisms in a mixed culture and distributing it evenly. The technique makes it easier to quantify bacteria in a solution. Principle of Spread Plate Technique The spread plate technique involves using a sterilized spreader … Read more
Media Uses · Alkaline Peptone Water Enrichment media for Vibrio cholerae · Alkaline Salt Transport Medium · Taurocholate Peptone Transport Medium Transport media for diarrheal diseases suspected of being caused by V. cholerae · Anaerobic Media Liquid media by addition of · Glucose (0.5 % … Read more
Although bacteria and viruses both are very small to be seen without a microscope, there are many differences between Bacteria and Viruses. Some of the Differences Between Bacteria and Viruses are as follows: S.N. Characteristics Bacteria Viruses 1 Size Larger (1000 nm) Smaller (20-400 nm) … Read more
Diarrhea is a condition that involves the frequent passing of loose or watery stools while Dysentery is an intestinal inflammation, especially in the colon, that can lead to severe diarrhea with mucus or blood in the feces. The major differences between Diarrhea and Dysentery are as … Read more
Here are some of the top, nice and good microbiology books which we can study to get the basics as well as some advanced knowledge of systemic and diagnostic microbiology. These are arranged randomly because it’s really hard to choose one “best” book. I have … Read more
Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites so they depend on host for their survival. They cannot be grown in non-living culture media or on agar plates alone, they must require living cells to support their replication. The primary purpose of virus cultivation is: To isolate and … Read more
Many bacteria produce toxins, enzymes and pigments. Toxins and enzymes play important role in pathogenecity. Toxins are of two types: Exotoxins are usually heat labile proteins secreted by certain species of bacteria which diffuse into the surrounding medium. Endotoxins are heat stable lipopolysaccharide-protein complexes which … Read more
Flagella are the complex filamentous cytoplasmic structure protruding through cell wall. These are unbranched, long, thread like structures, mostly composed of the protein flagellin, intricately embedded in the cell envelope. Cilia are slender, microscopic, hair-like structures or organelles that extend from the surface of nearly … Read more
S.N. Characteristics Gram Positive Gram Negative 1 Gram Reaction Retain crystal violet dye and stain blue or purple Can be decolorized to accept counterstain (safranin) and stain pink or red 2 Cell Wall Cell Wall is 20-30 nm thick. Cell Wall is 8-12 … Read more
Bacteria are prokaryotic, unicellular microorganisms, which lack chlorophyll pigments. The cell structure is simpler than that of other organisms as there is no nucleus or membrane bound organelles. Due to the presence of a rigid cell wall, bacteria maintain a definite shape, though they vary … Read more
Hemolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells (RBC). A substance that causes hemolysis is a hemolysin. Brown (1919) introduced three terms alpha, beta and gamma to indicate three types of streptococci based on haemolytic reactions observed on blood agar plates. Beta-hemolytic Streptococci Beta-hemolysis (β-hemolysis) is … Read more
The eventual death toll from the massive earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25 will be unbearable. The death toll from Saturday’s deadly 7.9 magnitude quake and a series of aftershocks that struck various parts of Nepal has reached 4347 leaving 8154 injured as of Tuesday morning. … Read more
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms like bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoans which is seen only under the microscope and which have many economic importance. These are the world top 50 Microbiology Colleges and Universities on the basis of: Global research reputation, Regional research reputation, Publications, … Read more
Light Microscope Electron Microscope Illuminating source is the Light. Illuminating source is the beam of electrons. Specimen preparation takes usually few minutes to hours. Specimen preparation takes usually takes few days. Live or Dead specimen may be seen. Only Dead or Dried specimens are seen. Condenser, … Read more