microbiology

Term: microbiology

Origin: Anc Greek μικρός/micros(=small) + βίος/bios(=life) + λόγος/logy(=study of )

Coined: by French chemist Louis Pasteur (1822 –1895)  from term “microbe” introduced in 1878 by French surgeon Charles Emmanuel Sedillot (1804-1883). Pasteur successfully showed that life can only be generated from existing life, and he  showed that fermentation was caused by microorganisms. Before of term the science of microbiology started with  English scientist Robert Hooke who in 1665 published his landmark book Micrographia. In this book Hooke compared the cork   cells, or more more precisely cell walls, which he saw through his microscope to the small rooms monks lived. A century later in 1676 Dutch scientist and tradesmen Antonie van Leeuwenhoek observed for first time bacteria and other microorganisms, using a single-lens microscope of his own design. Van Leeuwenhoek examined for first time bacteria in a drop of rainwater and noticed it contained tiny creatures he called "animalicules".  Another great pioneer microbiologist in microbiology field was Robert Koch (1843-1910), who  isolated the bacillum anthracis, developed o called methods for producing pure cultures and introduced agar.

Definition:

the branch of biology dealing the study of microorganisms, such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and protists.

Comments