Introduction to Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of all living organisms that are too small to be visible with the naked eye. This includes bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, prions, protozoa and algae, collectively known as 'microbes'. These microbes play key roles in nutrient cycling, biodegradation, climate change, food spoilage, the cause and control of disease, and biotechnology. Microbes are useful in making life-saving drugs, the manufacture of biofuels, cleaning up pollution, and processing food and drinks. Microbiology often has been defined as the study of microorganisms that are usually less than about one millimeter in size and cannot be seen clearly and must be examined with a microscope. It includes viruses, bacteria, many algae and fungi and protozoa.