Web Microbiology at ACM

Chapter 2, Episode 7This episode focuses on carbon as the backbone of biological molecules and explains how functional groups determine chemical behavior. You’ll learn how hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, p...

Chapter 2, Episode 6This episode explains why water is the chemical foundation of life and how its properties influence cellular function. Topics include polarity, solutions, concentration, acids and ...

Chapter 2, Episode 5This episode reviews the basic chemistry needed for microbiology, including atomic structure, elements essential for life, and the major types of chemical bonds. You’ll learn how p...

Chapter 1, Episode 4This episode explains how microorganisms are classified and named using modern taxonomy. Major topics include the three domains of life, differences between prokaryotes and eukaryo...

Chapter 1, Episode 3This episode explores the historical experiments that led scientists to reject spontaneous generation and accept germ theory. You’ll review key scientists, classic experiments, Koc...

Chapter 1, Episode 2This episode clarifies the relationship between microbes and disease, emphasizing that most microorganisms are harmless or beneficial. Topics include pathogens vs. microbes, commun...

Chapter 1, Episode 1An introduction to microbiology as the study of microscopic life, including cellular and acellular organisms, and why microbes matter beyond disease. Key topics include the seven m...

Chapter 12, Episode 18This episode concludes antimicrobial therapy by exploring antibiotic resistance and treatments for non-bacterial pathogens. It explains how bacteria develop resistance through mu...

Chapter 12, Episode 17This episode continues the overview of antibacterial drug classes. It covers drugs that target the cell membrane, then moves into drugs that target DNA and RNA, including, highli...

Chapter 12, Episode 16This episode begins the discussion of specific antimicrobial drug classes, organized by mechanism of action. It starts with the historical development of Salvarsan and penicillin...

Chapter 18, Episode 10We finish Chapter 18 by exploring PCR, DNA sequencing, and other molecular technologies, and how they have transformed microbial identification and are shaping the future of diag...

Chapter 18, Episode 9Discover how immunologic tests such as ELISA and rapid antigen tests detect pathogens and antibodies, providing faster diagnostic information for patient care. ...

Chapter 18, Episode 8Explore how real clinical microbiology labs process patient specimens, use selective media and identification panels, and determine effective antibiotic treatments. ...

Chapter 18, Episode 7A walkthrough of the Unknown ID Dry Lab, including how to use dichotomous keys, interpret test results, and identify unknown bacteria using the same reasoning process used in clin...

Chapter 18, Episode 6Learn how clinical microbiologists identify disease-causing bacteria by phenotype, using observations, staining, and biochemical tests to narrow down suspects. This is just like p...

Chapter 12, Episode 15This episode introduces the principles of antimicrobial therapy, focusing on the goal of selective toxicity. It reviews key concepts like bactericidal vs. bacteriostatic drugs, b...

Chapter 11, Episode 14Additional chemical control methods include alcohols, oxidizing agents, surfactants, quats, heavy metals, aldehydes, gaseous sterilants, and essential oils, each with distinct me...

Chapter 11, Episode 13Chemical control methods work by targeting key cellular structures such as the cell wall, membrane, proteins, or nucleic acids, resulting in either microbial death or growth inhi...

Chapter 11, Episode 12Microbial death is defined as the loss of the ability to reproduce, and effectiveness of control methods depends on factors like concentration, time, microbial load, and environm...

Chapter 11, Episode 11Microbial control focuses on reducing microbes to safe levels rather than eliminating them entirely in most situations. Key terms include sterilization (complete removal), disinf...

Chapter 10, Episode 10In this episode, anabolism is explored as the process of building macromolecules using energy and intermediates from catabolism. Amphibolic pathways and biosynthetic processes ar...

Chapter 10, Episode 9In this episode, fermentation is introduced as a pathway that allows glycolysis to continue in the absence of oxygen by regenerating NAD⁺. Major fermentation types and their end p...

Chapter 10, Episode 8In this episode, the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation are explained, including how electron carriers create a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis. The ...

Chapter 10, Episode 7In this episode, glycolysis is introduced as the first step in glucose breakdown, producing pyruvate, ATP, and NADH. The possible fates of pyruvate are discussed, followed by an o...

Chapter 10, Episode 6In this episode, energy flow in the cell is explored through exergonic and endergonic reactions and how they are coupled. Redox reactions are introduced as the movement of electro...

Chapter 10, Episode 5In this episode, metabolism is introduced as the sum of all chemical reactions in the cell, including catabolism and anabolism. The role of ATP as the cell’s energy currency is ex...

Chapter 7, Episode 4We wrap up chapter 7 by discussing how antiviral drugs target specific steps in viral replication and why treatment can be challenging. Then we explore prions, infectious proteins ...

Chapter 7, Episode 3This episode walks step-by-step through viral replication. From attachment to release, we examine how viruses enter cells, redirect cellular machinery, and produce new virions, inc...

Chapter 7, Episode 2We revisit the lytic and lysogenic cycles of bacteriophages and apply those concepts to human viral infections. Learn the difference between latent and chronic infections, how viru...

Chapter 7, Episode 1Are viruses alive? In this episode, we explore what viruses are made of, how they’re structured, and why they must hijack host cells to survive. We break down capsids, envelopes, b...

Chapter 8, Episode 16This episode focuses on how DNA manipulation is applied in real-world settings through biotechnology. Key topics include recombinant DNA technology, GMOs like Bt corn, gene therap...

Chapter 8, Episode 15In this episode, we explore how scientists analyze and visualize DNA after it has been amplified or cut. Topics include gel electrophoresis, DNA profiling, sequencing, SNPs, and m...

Chapter 8, Episode 14This episode introduces the foundational tools used to study and manipulate DNA, including restriction enzymes, PCR, and cloning vectors. You’ll learn how DNA can be cut at specif...

Chapter 6, Episode 13This episode explains how mutations alter DNA sequences, including point mutations, insertions, deletions, and frameshifts, and how these changes can affect protein function and p...

Chapter 6, Episode 12This episode discusses the unique ways bacteria evolve through DNA. They transfer genetic material horizontally, within the same generation, and the processes by which this is acc...

Chapter 6, Episode 11This episode introduces the operon, and discusses how bacterial cells control gene expression. The lac operon is discussed in detail as an example of the ways bacteria conserve en...

Chapter 6, Episode 10This episode is a continuation of the central dogma, focusing on the process of translation and how ribosomes create proteins from messenger RNA. ...

Chapter 6, Episode 9This episode introduces the central dogma and the genetic code. We'll discuss how cells create protein from genes, and point out the differences in the process of transcription...

Chapter 6, Episode 8In this episode we'll discuss the process of DNA replication and point out the subtle differences between linear chromosomes and circular chromosomes and how they are replicate...

Chapter 6, Episode 7In this episode, we'll review the DNA molecule in detail, talk about how chromosomes are organized in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and discuss how this organization sets c...

Chapter 5, Episode 6In this episode we finish the chapter on eukaryotes by discussing algae, protozoa and helminths. We review the life cycle of Plasmodium, the protozoa that causes malaria, and cover...

Chapter 5, Episode 5In this episode we explore the characteristics of microorganisms belonging to the kingdom of fungi. What makes them unique, what their morphologies are, the similarities between fu...

Chapter 5, Episode 4This episode introduces the Endosymbiotic Theory and explains how complex eukaryotic cells evolved from prokaryotic ancestors. We briefly review the major groups of microbial eukar...

Chapter 4, Episode 3This episode examines the internal structures of bacteria, including chromosomes, plasmids, ribosomes, and the powerful survival strategy of endospore formation. We also compare ba...

Chapter 4, Episode 2We dive into the external structures that help bacteria move, attach, exchange genes, and survive. From flagella and chemotaxis to pili, capsules, and the Gram-positive vs. Gram-ne...

Chapter 4, Episode 1This episode explores the structure and “lifestyle” of bacterial cells, from shape and arrangement to biofilm formation and motility. Learn how features like capsules, flagella, an...

Chapter 14, Episode 57Epidemiology studies disease patterns using measures like prevalence and incidence, along with data from diagnosis and reporting systems. It emphasizes how test accuracy (sensiti...

Chapter 13, Episode 56Finish the infection cycle by learning how pathogens exit the body and spread to new hosts. This episode covers direct and indirect transmission, reservoirs, carriers, and vector...

Chapter 13, Episode 55Once inside the body, pathogens must attach, survive, and cause damage. This episode examines the tools microbes use to establish infection, including virulence factors like adhe...

Chapter 13, Episode 54Explore how pathogens gain access to the body and what determines whether exposure leads to infection. This episode breaks down portals of entry, infectious dose, and the protect...