microbiology

## What I do - Study microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists) - Investigate microbial physiology and genetics - Research microbial pathogenesis - Analyze microbial ecology - Develop antimicrobial strategies - Apply microbiology to biotechnology ## When to use me - When studying bacterial growth and metabolism - When investigating microbial diseases - When analyzing antimicrobial resistance - When working with microbial cultures - When studying microbial ecology - When developing diagnostics or treatments ## Key Concepts ### Microbial Classification **Bacteria** - Gram-positive: Thick peptidoglycan layer - Gram-negative: Outer membrane + thin peptidoglycan - Shapes: Cocci, bacilli, spirilla **Viruses** - DNA viruses vs RNA viruses - Enveloped vs non-enveloped - Bacteriophages **Fungi** - Yeasts: Single-celled - Molds: Multicellular filaments ### Microbial Growth ```python # Example: Bacterial growth curve def bacterial_growth(N0, mu, t): """ Calculate bacterial population. N0: Initial cell count mu: Specific growth rate (1/h) t: Time (hours) """ return N0 * np.exp(mu * t) # Growth phases growth_phases = { 'lag': 'Adaptation, no division', 'exponential': 'Active division, max rate', 'stationary': 'Nutrient limitation, balanced', 'death': 'Nutrient depletion, cell lysis' } ``` ### Microbial Metabolism - Aerobic respiration: O₂ as electron acceptor - Anaerobic respiration: Alternative acceptors - Fermentation: Substrate-level phosphorylation - Photosynthesis: Light energy capture - Chemolithotrophy: Inorganic electron donors ### Pathogenesis - Adhesion and colonization - Toxin production - Immune evasion - Tissue invasion - biofilm formation