B.Sc. Botany (Hon.) Sem 1

Core Course I: Microbiology and Phycology

Microbial nutrition, growth and metabolism. Economic importance of viruses with reference to vaccine production, role in medicine and as causal organisms of plant diseases. Economic importance of bacteria with reference to their role in agriculture and industry (fermentation and antibiotics).

Unit 2: Viruses

Discovery, physiochemical and biological characteristics; classification (Baltimore), general structure with special reference to TMV, T2-Phage, viroids and prions; lytic and lysogenic cycle.

Unit 3: Bacteria

Discovery, general characteristics; Principles in Bacterial Taxonomy, Bergey’s Man. of Syst. Bact.; 2nd Ed. - 2001-05; Types-Archaea, Eubacteria, wall-less forms (mycoplasma and spheroplasts); Cell structure; Bacterial Chromosome & extra-chromosomal genetic elements; Nutritional types; Vegetative Reproduction and genetic recombination (conjugation, transformation and transduction), Endospore.

1. Aseptic method
a) Sterilization technique by Autoclaving, Hot air oven and surface sterilization.
b) Preparation of standard bacteriological medium (Nutrient agar, Nutrient broth and glucose -peptone medium).
c) Preparation of slant and plates.
d) Subculturing of pure bacteriological culture.
e) Pure culture technique: dilution streak method.

2. Simple staining; Differential staining: Gram staining.

3. Microscopic examination of bacteria from natural habitats: curd and root nodules of leguminous plants.