This slide from your microbiology lecture outlines key “Big Micro questions” — essential topics that form the foundation of studying microbiology. Here’s a breakdown of each question in simpler terms to help you understand:

1. Why is the concept of microbiology important in our daily lives?

Microbiology helps us understand germs (microbes) that affect our health, food, environment, and even technology. It’s useful in medicine, hygiene, and disease prevention.

2. How to identify bacteria, fungi, vs virus?

Each microbe has different shapes, sizes, and structures. Bacteria are single cells with no nucleus, fungi are usually larger and can be multicellular, and viruses are tiny and need a host to survive.

3. How to identify different types of microbes under the microscope?

Scientists use special stains, shapes (like rods or spirals), and behaviors under the microscope to tell them apart.

4. Why are viruses so hard to treat?

Viruses hide inside our cells and use our own body to multiply, so it’s tricky to kill them without harming our own cells.

5. How do bacteria become antibiotic resistant?

Some bacteria change (mutate) or share genes, making antibiotics no longer effective against them.

6. How do viruses mutate into different variants?

Viruses, like COVID-19, can change slightly each time they replicate. Some changes help them spread better or escape immunity.

7. How do viruses such as COVID-19 operate?

COVID-19 enters our cells using spike proteins, spreads through droplets, and can avoid our immune system. Vaccines and antibodies help fight it.

8. How does our body fight off microbes during infection?

Our immune system uses white blood cells, antibodies, and inflammation to recognize and destroy invaders.