IMPORTANCE OF MICROBIOLOGY

Microorganisms serve as specific agents for large scale chemical transformations, specially variety of geochemical changes. Winogradsky and Beijerink proved that microbes play important role in the Carbon cycle, Nitrogen cycle, Sulphur cycle etc. they also proved the role of microorganism in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen fixation.

Microbiology contributed significantly to the development of new branches like biochemistry and Genetics. Buchner discovered cell- free alcoholic fermentation which became a foundation to the biochemistry. The studies on microorganisms helped in the discovery of vitamins, enzyme.

Beadle and Tatum isolated a series of biochemical mutants from fungus called Neurospora. Delbruck and luria carried researches on mutation in bacteria. Several mechanisms of genetic transfer were discovered in bacteria (conjugation, transduction, transformation).

Avery Mc Leod and Mc cart basing on the studies of genetic transformation studies in bacteria discovered that genetic matter in living organisms is DNA.

Microbiology made many contributions for the development of molecular biology.

Microorganisms are responsible for the manufacture of various foods of man. The biochemical reactions of microorganism helps in the process of production of foods like Curd, Bread, Alochol, Soya Souce, SCP protein etc. the fruiting bodies of some fungi like Agaricus, Plurotus etc are used as mushrooms, SCP protein are synthesized from culturing of micro organisms like Chlorella, Spirulina, Yeasts etc.

Microorganisms helps in several industries like medicine industry, jute industry. Hormones, Vitamins, Vaccins are also manufactured from microorganisms. They also used in Recombinant technology, cell fusion technology etc.

Hence the branch microbiology developed into a independent modern branch of science.