BRANCHES OF MICROBIOLOGY

Microorganisms are organized into six fields of study: bacteriology, virology, mycology, phycology, protozoology, and parasitology.

BACTERIOLOGY

Bacteriology is the study of bacteria. Bacteria are prokaryotic organisms. A prokaryotic organism is a one-celled organism that does not have a true nucleus. Many bacteria absorb nutrients from their environment and some make their own nutrients by photosynthesis or other synthetic processes.

VIROLOGY

Virology is the study of viruses. A virus is a sub-microscopic, parasitic, acellular entity composed of a nucleic acid core surrounded by a protein coat. Parasitic acellular means that a virus receives food and shelter from another organism and is not divided into cells.

MYCOLOGY

Mycology is the study of fungi. A fungus is a eukaryotic organism, often microscopic, that absorbs nutrients from its external environment. Fungi are not photosynthetic. A eukaryotic microorganism is a microorganism whose cells have a nucleus, cytoplasm and organelles. These include yeasts and some moulds.

PHYCOLOGY

Phycology is the study of algae. Algae are eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms that transform sunlight into nutrients using photosynthesis. A eukaryotic photosynthetic microorganism is a microorganism whose cells have a nucleus, nuclear envelope, cytoplasm, and organelles and that is able to carry out photosynthesis