Fundamentals of Microbiology The Microbial World and You

Of Microscopes and Observations  Anton van Leeuwenhoek –simple, single-lens microscope – observed animalcules –first to observe bacteria

From Monk’s Room to Unit of Life  Robert Hooke thought what he was looking at resembled the rooms monk’s occupied…..  Cells

A Long Wait for Technology - from the 17th to the 19th century  It was the middle of the 19th century before major improvements of the compound microscope made study of microorganisms reasonable  There were basic techniques for studying microbes which were not devised until the late 19th century

Perplexing Questions Drove Development of Microbiology  Does spontaneous generation occur?  What is the nature of contagious disease?

Spontaneous Generation  Pile garbage in the streets ….. Bring to life … rats  Hang meat to cure …Generate … flies  Put mutton broth out to cool … Create … microorganisms

Misconceptions Can Die Hard  Needham –experiments showed that the part of air necessary to living organisms is oxygen  Spallanzani –elegant experiment disproving spontaneous generation »sealed flask necks then boiled broth….nothing grew  Needham or something else used to dispute any work discrediting the idea of spontaneous generation.  Took in the neighborhood of 200 years to put this idea to rest 

Enter Louis Pasteur - Beer and Wine Expert  Believed that fermentation was microbial process rather than a strictly chemical one  Believed that microorganisms carried on dust particles were responsible for spoilage

Two Little Experiments-One Giant Leap for Biogenesis  Sealed flasks containing boiled mutton broth –opened in the dusty streets of Paris meant contamination –opened in the clear clean air of the snow fields on Mont Blanc meant no microorganisms