Microbiology

Microbiology [Greek: micros ( "small"), bios ( "life") and logos ( "science")] is the study of microscopic organisms and their activities. It is concerned with the shape, structure, reproduction, physiology, metabolism and identification of microorganisms. Thus, Microbiology involves the study of prokaryotic organisms (bacteria, archaea), lower eukaryotes (algae, protozoa, fungi).

The microbiology started with the polishing lenses made from glass pieces, combined increases sufficiently to produce significant that enabled the visualization of microorganisms. Reports of Robert Hooke and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek allowed the first observations of bacteria and other microorganisms. Although it was not probably the first to see the bacteria and protozoa, Dutchman Antony van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) was the first to report their observations with accurate descriptions and drawings. Although van Leeuwenhoek is considered the "father" of microbiology, reports of Hooke, describing the structure of a mold, were previously published to Leeuwenhoek. Thus, these two researchers are considered the pioneers of this science.