ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 1 Expository Class: 32 Interactive Classroom: 18 Total: 51
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Microbiology and Parasitology
Areas: Microbiology
Center Faculty of Biology
Call: First Semester
Teaching: Sin docencia (Extinguida)
Enrolment: No Matriculable
- Knowledge and correct use by the student of the basic terminology of the discipline.
- Identify and place in the context of living beings the different biological types under study in Microbiology.
- Acquire basic knowledge about the biology of microorganisms, including morphological, physiological, genetic, clinical and ecological aspects.
- Acquire the theoretical and methodological basis necessary to tackle without difficulty a subsequent specialization in any area of the discipline, whether basic or applied.
- Learn to correctly handle the materials and instruments of a Microbiology laboratory, acquiring the manual skills required by microbiological methods.
- Learn the most used techniques in Microbiology: microscopy, stains, isolation of pure cultures, identification of microorganisms, etc.
- Learn to manage documentation sources.
- That the student understands and values the interest of Microbiology within the framework of Biology studies, and the social repercussion of Microbiology.
In conclusion, it will try to favor the habits of initiative, creativity, critical spirit and teamwork, and the acquisition of basic knowledge that allows the student to understand what microorganisms are as living beings and easily approach a subsequent specialization in any area. of discipline.
Theoretical Classes Program.
Unit 1. Microbiology in the World of Living Organisms. (1 h)
Definition of Microbiology. Historical development of Microbiology. Current state of Microbiology and its influence on other biosciences. Prokaryotic (Bacteria and Archaea) and eukaryotic microorganisms. Virus. The three "Domains": Bacteria, Archaea and Eucarya. The origin of the eukaryotic cell: endosymbiosis theory.
Unit 2. Techniques for the Study and Observation of Microorganisms. (2 h)
Types of optical microscopy. Types of preparations for optical microscope examination. Types of staining. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Other types of microscopy.
Unit 3. Bacterial Morphology and Structure. (2 h)
Cell morphology, size and bacterial cells associations. Essential and non-essential structures. Cytoplasm and Cytoplasmic Formations: Ribosomes. Single-layer membrane-bound organelles. Reserve cytoplasmic inclusions. Nuclear area or genophore. Extrachromosomal DNA.
Unit 4. Plasma Membrane and Membranous Structures (2 h)
Chemical composition, structure and functions of the bacterial membrane. Types of transport across the plasma membrane. Differential characteristics of Archaea membranes. Membranous structures.
Unit 5. Bacterial Cell Wall (3 h)
Structure and chemical composition: differences between Gram-positive and Gram-negative Eubacteria. Functions of the different polymers of the cell wall. Specific characteristics of the Archaea wall. Murein biosynthesis.
Unit 6. Structures External to the Cell Wall (2 h)
Capsules: Chemical nature and functions. Flagella and flagellar movement: Structure and chemical composition of the flagellum. Other types of movement: gliding motility and spirochetal movement. Pili or fimbriae: types and functions.
Unit 7. The Bacterial Endospore (1 h)
Structure, chemical composition and properties of the endospore. Presence and observation of endospores. Differences between vegetative cell and bacterial endospore. Sporulation kinetics. Genetic aspects of the sporulation process. Endospore germination.
Unit 8. Introduction to Virology (2 h)
Nature and characteristics of viruses. Distinctive properties of viruses. Viral structure and architecture. Classification of viruses. Infective cycle and synthesis of viral components. Viral nucleic acid replication: types. Subviral particles: Viroids and Virusoids. prions.
Unit 9. Introduction to Microbial Genetics (2 h)
Concept of mutation. Types of mutations. Mutagenic agents. Selection and detection of mutants: bacterial auxotrophic mutants. Gene regulation in bacteria. Genetic Recombination in Bacteria. Gene recombination elements: plasmids, episomes, transposons and insertion sequences. Mechanisms of bacterial recombination: transformation, transduction and conjugation. Phage conversion.
Unit 10. Microbial Nutrition (1 h)
Principles of microbial nutrition. Nutritional categories of microorganisms: Sources of energy, electrons and carbon. Trophic types. Sources of nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus.
Unit 11. Microbial Metabolic Processes (2 hours)
Aerobic metabolism. Chemolithotrophy. Anaerobic metabolism: Fermentations and anaerobic respiration. Respiratory chain deviations: bacterial luminescence and cytochrome-independent oxygen reduction. Anoxygenic photosynthesis. Energy production by photosynthesis (photophosphorylation).
Unit 12. Physical-Chemical Conditions for Growth (2 h)
Effect of physical-chemical factors on growth. Temperature. pH. Osmotic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure. Oxygen needs.
Unit 13. Culture of Microorganisms (2 h)
Types of bacteriological culture media. Mixed cultures and pure cultures. Pure culture isolation methods. Conservation of cultures and maintenance of their properties.
Unit 14. Bacterial growth (2 hours)
Cell growth: Bacterial division cycle. Population growth: Growth curve and characteristics of the different phases. Growth measurement methods: number of cells and cell mass. Mathematical expression of growth. Effect of antimicrobial agents on growth. Synchronous and asynchronous growth. Continuous culture and its applications.
Unit 15. Control of Microorganisms. Control by physical agents (2 h)
Definition of concepts: sterilization, disinfection, antisepsis, etc. Factors influencing antimicrobial action. Modes of action of antimicrobial agents. Control by physical agents: wet and dry heat, radiation, filtration. Mechanisms of action of the different physical agents.
Unit 16. Control of Microorganisms by Chemical Agents: Disinfectants (2 h)
Factors that affect their effectiveness. Main groups of disinfectants. Determination of disinfection power: phenolic coefficient.
Unit 17. Chemotherapy (2 h)
Types of chemotherapy: natural (antibiotics) and synthetic. Classification of antibiotics according to their chemical structure and mode of action. Synthetic chemotherapeutic agents. Determination of antimicrobial activity. Resistance to chemotherapy agents: mechanisms and transmission. Importance of antimicrobial peptides.
Program of Practical Classes
Practice 1. The Microbiology Laboratory. Laboratory work rules. Preparation and sterilization of laboratory material. Types of culture media. Preparation of liquid and solid culture media and their sterilization. Sterilization by moist heat and by filtration.
Practice 2. Cultivation of Microorganisms in solid medium and liquid medium. Inoculation of liquid media. Inoculation of solid media (Petri dishes, slant and pit agar tubes). Isolation of microorganisms from natural samples. Techniques for obtaining pure cultures: serial dilution method and isolation by streaking on solid medium.
Practice 3. The optical microscope. Handling and care of the optical microscope. Observation of live microorganisms by phase contrast microscopy (observation of motility). Morphology of different types of microorganisms. Dark field microscope. Fluorescence microscope. Autofluorescence and bioluminescence. Inverted microscope.
Practice 4. Microorganism staining methods. Simple staining: direct staining with basic dyes. Differential stains: Gram stain. Specific stains: capsule stain.
Practice 5. Growth measurement methods: microscopic counting, spectrophotometric estimation of biomass. Determination of the growth curve. Viable cell count on plate.
Practice 6. Antimicrobial agents. Measurement of antimicrobial activity. Antibiogram. Thermoresistance and lethal thermal time.
Seminars
The seminars will be used as a complement to the theory and practice program and will deal with: historical review of microbiology, basic notions of microbial metabolism and mathematical analysis of microbial growth.
Tutorials
The tutorials will try to clarify those aspects of theory, practices and seminars that are more difficult for the student to understand.
BASIC
- Madigan, M.T., K.S. Bender, D.H. Buckley, W.M. Sattley, D.A. Stahl . 2022. Brock Biology of Microorganisms. 16ª ed. Pearson, Harlow, UK.
- Martín, A., V. Béjar, J.C. Gutiérrez, M. Llagostera y E. Quesada. 2019. Microbiología esencial. Ed. Médica- Panamericana. Madrid.
- Tortora, G.J., B.R. Funke, & C.L. Case. Introducción a la Microbiología. 2017. 12ª ed. Editorial Médica-Panamericana. Buenos Aires.
- Willey, J.M., K.M. Sandman, D.H. Wood. 2020. Prescott’s Microbiology. 11ª ed. McGraw-Hill Education. New York.
SUPPLEMENTARY
- Cowan, M.K. & Smith, H. 2021. Microbiology. A systems approach. McGraw Hill, New York, 6ª ed.
- Schaechter, M. 2016. Eukaryotic microbes. Elsevier/Academic Press, Amsterdam.
LABORATORY PRACTICES
- Gamazo, C., Sánchez, S. y Camacho, A.I. eds., 2013. Microbiología Basada en la Experimentación. Ed. Elsevier, Barcelona.
- Gamazo, C., Lopez-Goñi, I. y Díaz, R. eds., 2008. Manual práctico de microbiología. 3ª ed. Ed. Masson. Barcelona.
- Pérez Gracia, M.T., C. Galiana Roselló. 2018. Manual de Prácticas de Microbiología. 3ª ed. Psylicom Ediciones.
- Seeley, H.W., Van Demark, P.J. and Lee, J.J., 1991. Microbes in action: a laboratory manual of microbiology. 4th Ed. W.H. Freeman, New York.
The basic and general skills that will be worked on in the course are those reflected in the degree report.
Transversal skills
CT1 - Ability to search, process, analyze and synthesize information from various sources.
CT2 - Capacity for reasoning, argumentation and critical thinking.
CT3 - Ability to work in a group and address problem situations collectively.
CT4 - Ability to prepare and present an organized and understandable text.
CT5 - Ability to make a public presentation in a clear, concise and coherent manner
CT6 - Ability to adequately reflect the sources of information used.
CT7 - Ability to apply ICTs in the field of Biology.
CT8 - Ability to solve problems through the integrated application of their knowledge, promoting initiative and creativity.
CT10 - Ability to interpret experimental results.
Specific skills
CE3 - Know and know how to apply instrumental techniques, and design work protocols in the laboratory and in the field, applying the regulations and appropriate techniques related to safety, hygiene, waste management and quality.
CE6 - Develop the ability to obtain, handle, preserve, identify and classify biological specimens, as well as its remains and traces.
CE8 - Understand the principles of bioenergetics and biosignaling, and know the main metabolic pathways and their regulation, as well as the flow of genetic and biochemical information in living beings.
CE9 - Know and understand the structure and function of viruses, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
CE11 - Understand and integrate the functioning and regulation of the main physiological processes of living beings as well as their interaction with the biotic and abiotic environment.
- Theory: Face-to-face classes in the classroom (2 hours per week throughout the first semester). Attendance will be voluntary and will not be scored.
- Seminars: 3 face-to-face seminars of 1 hour. Attendance will be voluntary, although it will be taken into account for the seminar grade.
- Laboratory practices: They will be carried out continuously for a week from Monday to Friday. Attendance is mandatory (100% time) to take the theory exam.
- Tutorials: A 1-hour tutorial will be held in small groups through MS-Teams, to answer questions about the course. Individual face-to-face tutorials may be carried out at any time, by email or through the Virtual Classroom using the discussion forum. The use of tutorials will be voluntary.
The Virtual Classroom of the Moodle platform within the USC Virtual Campus will be used as a support tool for all the contents.
Summary: Final Exam: 70%; Continuous assessment of Units taught: 5%; Practices: 15%; Seminars: 10%.
- Theory. It will represent 75% of the final mark of the course. To pass the course, a mandatory final exam must be passed, which will represent 70% of the final grade. The student must obtain a minimum grade of 4.5 in this theory exam to include the other concepts in the calculation of the final grade. The theory mark will be complemented with the completion of continuous assessment questionnaires, which will represent 5% of the final mark.
- Practices. Attendance at all practices will be mandatory and will be a requirement to be able to take the theory exam. Students will take an exam on the fundamentals, methodology and results obtained. Reports on the laboratory work may also be requested, which will be evaluated together with the exam. The practice grade will represent 15% of the final grade for the course.
- Seminars. Continuous evaluation will be carried out by completing online questionnaires through the Virtual Campus. Attendance and participation will also be scored with a maximum of 20%. The weight of the seminars in the final grade will be 10%.
These instruments will be used to assess the competencies according to the following scheme:
- In the theoretical exam the competencies will be evaluated: CB2, CG2, CG4, CG5, CT1, CT2, CT4, CT8, CE1-CE4
- In the practices the competencies will be evaluated : CG3, CT3, CT8, CT10, CE1, CE3
- In the active participation in the classroom and seminars the following competences will be evaluated: CT1, CT2, CT4, CT8.
For the evaluation of the competences, the written exams of theory and practices will be used, as well as continuous evaluation questionnaires through the Virtual Campus.
Repeating students Repeating students who have positively evaluated the practices will maintain their grade for the following two academic years.
Attendance at small group tutorials will be voluntary.
For the second opportunity, the same evaluation criteria and methodologies will be applied as for the first opportunity.
Course of 6 ECTS credits x 25 hours = 150 hours
Face -to-face : 54 hours:
- Lectures: 32 hours
- Practical classes: 15 hours
- Seminars: 3 hours
- Small group tutorials: 1 hour
- Exam: 3 hours.
Student personal work : 96 hours
- Individualized tutorials: 3 hours
- Individual study: 70 hours (4.5 hours per week)
- Preparation of works and recommended readings: 20 hours
- Attendance at conferences and other activities: 3 hours
Regular attendance at classes and active participation in theoretical classes, practices and seminars. Individual completion of the online self-assessment questionnaires that will be proposed. Weekly review of the Units exposed in class. Comprehensive study, not rote, relating the contents of the course with those of related courses. Follow the teacher's recommendations that may arise throughout the course.
The Virtual Classroom of the Moodle platform within the Virtual Campus of the USC will be used as a support tool for all the contents of the course. This Virtual Classroom will be used to publish general information on the coourse, for the publication of downloadable content by students, as a communication tool, to conduct online questionnaires and for publishing the grades of all sections.
* For cases of fraudulent completion of exercises or tests, the provisions of the "Regulations for evaluating student academic performance and reviewing grades" will apply.
Manuel Luis Lemos Ramos
Coordinador/a- Department
- Microbiology and Parasitology
- Area
- Microbiology
- Phone
- 881816080
- manuel.lemos [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Manuel Romero Bernardez
- Department
- Microbiology and Parasitology
- Area
- Microbiology
- manuelromero.bernardez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Investigador/a Distinguido/a
| Wednesday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| Thursday | |||
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| Friday | |||
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 01.22.2024 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 01.22.2024 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 01.22.2024 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 01.22.2024 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 01.22.2024 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 01.22.2024 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 06.19.2024 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 06.19.2024 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 06.19.2024 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 06.19.2024 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |