Microbiology
Introduction
Microscopic organisms, sometimes referred to as microbes or microorganisms, are present inside
our bodies as well as all around us. A vast variety of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses,
algae, archaea, and protozoa, fall under the broad term "microbes." While some of these, like
fungi and bacteria, are widely recognised, others, like archaea, are not as well (Bio Lab Tests,
2021).
In this report, I will be sharing my experiences and insights gained during my work experience
placement at the Agrifood and Biosciences Institute's scientific research facility at Stormont. Over
the course of my placement, I had the incredible opportunity to delve into the fascinating field of
microbiota and pathogen biology. Through the use of various microscopy techniques, I explored
the structural characteristics of microorganisms, uncovering their hidden complexities and gaining
a deeper understanding of their biology. This report aims to document and reflect upon the
knowledge and skills I acquired during my time at the institute, as well as the valuable insights I
gained into the world of scientific research.
Bacteria
Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled creatures. Bacteria come in millions of varieties (Cleveland
Clinic, 2022). They are prokaryotic and are between 0.2 and 2 μm in diameter and 1 and 8 μm in
length (Canvas, Class Notes, 2024). The body contains and benefits from a multitude of these
substances. The body's microbiome, which is composed of these bacteria, maintains its health.
You can become ill from different microorganisms. Antibiotics are used by medical professionals to
treat a variety of bacterial infections.
Since bacteria lack a nucleus, bacteria are categorised as prokaryotes. They are microorganisms
with incredibly basic cell structures. In bacteria, cell walls exist. A diagram of a bacteria would
display each cell's structure inside the cell walls. Every bacterium has DNA, ribosomes, and
cytoplasm (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).
9
BTEC Assignment Brief v1.0
BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM January 2015
, (Healthline, 2022).
A typical bacterium, like the rod-shaped Escherichia coli that is commonly found in the
gastrointestinal tracts of people and animals, has a diameter of 0.5 μm and a length of
approximately 2 micrometres (μm; millionths of a metre). Meanwhile, the spherical cells of
Staphylococcus aureus can have a diameter of up to 1 μm.
The main asexual method of bacterial reproduction is binary fission, in which a single cell divides
into two. Certain bacterial species can divide every 10-15 minutes in the right conditions, doubling
their population within that period. (Britannica, 2024). First of all the DNA replicates and uncoils,
then they multiply their plasmid DNA, and lastly the DNA molecules are drawn to the cell’s
opposite ends, where a wall develops between them (Canvas, Class Notes, 2024). This can be
shown in the diagram below.
10
BTEC Assignment Brief v1.0
BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM January 2015
, (Canvas, Class Notes, 2024).
To explain this diagram further, A single bacterium splits into two daughter cells that are exactly
the same. Every daughter cell is an exact replica of its parent. In ideal circumstances (appropriate
temperature and nutrients), Escherichia coli could multiply every 20 minutes.
One bacterium may produce 2,097,152 bacteria in just seven hours. In an additional hour, the
total number of bacteria would have increased to an incredible 16,777,216. For this reason, when
pathogenic bacteria enter our bodies, illness can strike fast (Canvas, Class Notes, 2024).
Bacterial Reproduction Graph (Canvas, Class Notes, 2024).
11
BTEC Assignment Brief v1.0
BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM January 2015
Introduction
Microscopic organisms, sometimes referred to as microbes or microorganisms, are present inside
our bodies as well as all around us. A vast variety of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses,
algae, archaea, and protozoa, fall under the broad term "microbes." While some of these, like
fungi and bacteria, are widely recognised, others, like archaea, are not as well (Bio Lab Tests,
2021).
In this report, I will be sharing my experiences and insights gained during my work experience
placement at the Agrifood and Biosciences Institute's scientific research facility at Stormont. Over
the course of my placement, I had the incredible opportunity to delve into the fascinating field of
microbiota and pathogen biology. Through the use of various microscopy techniques, I explored
the structural characteristics of microorganisms, uncovering their hidden complexities and gaining
a deeper understanding of their biology. This report aims to document and reflect upon the
knowledge and skills I acquired during my time at the institute, as well as the valuable insights I
gained into the world of scientific research.
Bacteria
Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled creatures. Bacteria come in millions of varieties (Cleveland
Clinic, 2022). They are prokaryotic and are between 0.2 and 2 μm in diameter and 1 and 8 μm in
length (Canvas, Class Notes, 2024). The body contains and benefits from a multitude of these
substances. The body's microbiome, which is composed of these bacteria, maintains its health.
You can become ill from different microorganisms. Antibiotics are used by medical professionals to
treat a variety of bacterial infections.
Since bacteria lack a nucleus, bacteria are categorised as prokaryotes. They are microorganisms
with incredibly basic cell structures. In bacteria, cell walls exist. A diagram of a bacteria would
display each cell's structure inside the cell walls. Every bacterium has DNA, ribosomes, and
cytoplasm (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).
9
BTEC Assignment Brief v1.0
BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM January 2015
, (Healthline, 2022).
A typical bacterium, like the rod-shaped Escherichia coli that is commonly found in the
gastrointestinal tracts of people and animals, has a diameter of 0.5 μm and a length of
approximately 2 micrometres (μm; millionths of a metre). Meanwhile, the spherical cells of
Staphylococcus aureus can have a diameter of up to 1 μm.
The main asexual method of bacterial reproduction is binary fission, in which a single cell divides
into two. Certain bacterial species can divide every 10-15 minutes in the right conditions, doubling
their population within that period. (Britannica, 2024). First of all the DNA replicates and uncoils,
then they multiply their plasmid DNA, and lastly the DNA molecules are drawn to the cell’s
opposite ends, where a wall develops between them (Canvas, Class Notes, 2024). This can be
shown in the diagram below.
10
BTEC Assignment Brief v1.0
BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM January 2015
, (Canvas, Class Notes, 2024).
To explain this diagram further, A single bacterium splits into two daughter cells that are exactly
the same. Every daughter cell is an exact replica of its parent. In ideal circumstances (appropriate
temperature and nutrients), Escherichia coli could multiply every 20 minutes.
One bacterium may produce 2,097,152 bacteria in just seven hours. In an additional hour, the
total number of bacteria would have increased to an incredible 16,777,216. For this reason, when
pathogenic bacteria enter our bodies, illness can strike fast (Canvas, Class Notes, 2024).
Bacterial Reproduction Graph (Canvas, Class Notes, 2024).
11
BTEC Assignment Brief v1.0
BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM January 2015
