Microbiology

Microbiology studies cover a wide array of taxonomic disciplines that include mycology, parasitology, virology, nematology, bacteriology and immunology among others. The study involves working with several microorganisms; acellular, multi-celled and single celled. Microbiology is an important discipline because microbes are the cause of many illnesses afflicting humans, animals and plants. Some microbes are also beneficial to the environment; for example in the industrial fermentation process to produce usable end-products such as dairy products, vinegar and alcohol. Microbiology has opened up a lot of study and practical opportunities for illuminating the benefits of microorganisms in microbial biodegradation of industrial and agricultural wastes as well as soil and marine pollution.

Industrial corporations are increasingly using microbiology for quality control purposes. This is normally carried out to eliminate living contaminants or to establish the kind of contaminant that is under study and how to control it. On the whole, the ability of a given microorganisms to degrade toxic matter is tied to the nature of the contaminant. Through microbiology, scientists have also been able to create important enzymes using breakthrough biotechnology. The sensitive and delicate nature of microbiological studies requires the use of dedicated laboratory equipment’s and supplies. The most common microbiology equipment’s include; microscopes, water baths, test tubes, incubators, culture growing mediums, petri dish, autoclaves and pipettes.

Growth mediums are available in both solid and liquid forms. Equipment like microscopes is used in permanent basis because it can be used repeatedly; conversely, laboratory apparatus such as pipette can be disposed. Microbiologists can use an autoclave to preserve lab equipment such as petri dish and slides to be reused. The type of microbiology equipment to use in a study is characteristically determined by the microorganism being studied. Expensive laboratory equipment such as autoclaves and incubators normally require large and secure storage space; for this reason, proper housing is critical.