Web Microbiology at ACM

Chapter 2, Episode 9

This episode covers proteins, nucleic acids, and ATP as the core molecules of cellular function. You’ll explore protein structure and function, DNA and RNA as information molecules, and ATP as the cell’s energy currency.

Chapter 2, Episode 8

This episode introduces carbohydrates and lipids, emphasizing their roles in energy storage, structure, and membranes. Topics include monosaccharides, polysaccharides, fatty acids, phospholipids, and how molecular structure explains function.

Chapter 2, Episode 7

This 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, phosphate, and methyl groups shape molecular structure and function

Chapter 2, Episode 6

This episode explains why water is the chemical foundation of life and how its properties influence cellular function. Topics include polarity, solutions, concentration, acids and bases, the pH scale, buffers, and how pH affects enzymes and microbial growth.

Chapter 2, Episode 5

This 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 polarity, electronegativity, and weak interactions like hydrogen bonds explain biological structure and function.  

Chapter 1, Episode 4

This episode explains how microorganisms are classified and named using modern taxonomy. Major topics include the three domains of life, differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, binomial nomenclature, and why genetic data is essential for microbial classification and identification.

Chapter 1, Episode 3

This episode explores the historical experiments that led scientists to reject spontaneous generation and accept germ theory. You’ll review key scientists, classic experiments, Koch’s postulates, and what a scientific theory really means in microbiology

Chapter 1, Episode 2

This episode clarifies the relationship between microbes and disease, emphasizing that most microorganisms are harmless or beneficial. Topics include pathogens vs. microbes, communicable vs. noncommunicable diseases, emerging and reemerging diseases, and the role of host immunity and exposure.

Chapter 1, Episode 1

An 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 major groups of microorganisms, pathogens vs. non-pathogens, and the concept of microbial ubiquity. 

Chapter 12, Episode 18

This episode concludes antimicrobial therapy by exploring antibiotic resistance and treatments for non-bacterial pathogens. It explains how bacteria develop resistance through mutation and gene transfer, and why this is a growing public health concern highlighted in the CDC Threat Report. The episode then reviews key drug classes used to treat fungal, protozoan, helminthic, and viral infections, emphasizing their mechanisms of action, clinical uses, and limitations. The overall focus is on understanding how antimicrobial effectiveness depends on targeting the organism while minimizing harm to the host.