Fundamentals of Microbiology

1.1.1 Introduction and Historical landmarks in the development of Microbiology

Microbiology

Microbiology is a science that deals with the study of living organisms and agents that are too small to be seen clearly by the naked eye (i.e the study of microorganisms). The term microbiology was derived from Greek – ‘Mikros’ means small, ‘Bios‘ means life and ‘Logos’ means science. 

Microorganisms include bacteria, fungi, viruses, many algae and protozoa.  These can be seen with the aid of microscopes.  Many scientists have contributed to the development of the science of microbiology.

In 1590, Zacharias Janssen, a Dutch astronomer developed a prototype of the present day telescope and the compound microscope. Galileo also constructed a microscope at around the same time (1610), who later improved upon the earlier type by devising mechanisms by which focusing could be done.

            The first person to observe and describe microorganisms was the amateur microscopist.  Anton Van Leeuwenhoek (1632 – 1723) of Holland.  He constructed a simple microscope composed of double convex glass lenses held between two silver plates. His microscopes could magnify up to 300 times.  He described moving microscopic organisms as animalcules. His descriptions of animalcules were made from 1673. 

Robert Hooke (1665) constructed a compound microscope which is considered the forerunner of the present day compound microscope. He published the drawings of the fruiting bodies of fungi and confirmed several reports of Leeuwenhoek.

 

Figure of earliest microscope