APPLIED BACTERIOLOGY AND VIROLOGY (Level 2, 3 CU)
a. Brief Course Description
This course will cover viruses and prokaryotes and their influence on life processes of other organisms.
Emphasis will be placed on their applications in genetics, evolution and biotechnology and host – parasite
relationships.
b. Course Objectives
The objectives of the course are to:
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Demonstrate the understanding of bacteriology and virology
Describe and discuss the dynamic nature of the genetic material of bacteria and viruses
Demonstrate the use and importance of micro-organisms as biotechnological tools in plant and
animal health
Discuss and explain the economic importance of micro-organisms in industry
c. Detailed Course Description
Virology:
(10 hrs)
Overview, definition, general characteristics, sizes and organization of viruses, chemical composition of
viruses, physical characteristics, Reproduction of viruses, classification: Bacteriophages: morphology,
multiplication, Phytophages; plant virus diseases, different symptoms of virus diseases of plants.
Transmission of plant viruses. Control of virus diseases of plants. Zoophages, replication, host cellular
alteration due to viral infections. Classification of zoophages with special reference to HIV virus.
Application of bacteriology/virology.
Bacteriology: (20 hrs)
Definition of bacteria, eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, classification and nomenclature of bacteria. Why
study bacteria? Morphology of bacteria cells; shapes, forms and groupings. Bacterial cytology; various
structures of bacterial cells (Appendages, cell envelope, cytoplasm and its inclusions). Staining of
bacteria, bacterial smears, different dyes and their actions on bacterial cells. Mechanism of staining
bacterial cells, types of bacterial staining. Growth of bacteria, the bacterial growth curve, factors affecting
the growth of bacteria. Nutrition of bacteria, different groups of bacteria based on their nutrition behaviour.
Identification of bacteria, principles on which bacterial isolates are categorized. Biochemical activities;
acid/gas from carbohydrates; oxidation-fermentation test, Reaction in litmus milk, production of indole. The
methyl red test, Voges-ProsKauer test, oxidase test, urease production, hydrogen sulphide production,
proteolytic activities, starch hydrolysis, catalase production, phosphatase test, nitrate reduction, Haemolysis.
Classification of bacteria; different bacterial groups and representative families; phototrophic bacteria, Gram
negative facultatively anaerobic rods, Gram negative chemoautotrophic bacteria, Gram positive cocci,
endospore-forming rods and cocci, Actinomycetales and related organisms. Examine bacteria of medical
importance.
Practicals – (30 hours)
d. Mode Delivery: Lectures, assignment, tutorials and practicals
Assessment: Practicals, assignment and tests (40%) and Examination (60%)