study of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi and protozoa. Includes fundamental research on biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology..

tiny living things that are found all around us and are too small to be seen by the naked eye.

 responsible for diseases such as toxoplasmosis and malaria.

 single cell organisms. some bacteria need oxygen to survive and others are not. some love heat and some prefer cold environments.

shaped like a ball are called cocci, and a single bacterium is a coccus

known as bacilli (singular bacillus), some are curved, known as

known as spirilla(single spirilus). If coils are very tight they are known as

get their energy through consuming organic carbon. Most absorb dead organic material, such as decomposing flesh. Some parasitic bacteria kill their host while others help them.

make their own food, either through photosynthesis and chemosynthesis

Probably played a vital role in creating the oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere. Others such as heliobacteria, do not produce oxygen.