1. The Systematic position of microorganisms in
the universal tree of life.
by
Dr. Thirunahari Ugandhar
Associate Prof of Botany
Department of Botany
Kakatiya Govt College (A) Hanamkonda
6. • The Tree of Life and Exploration of Microbial Diversity
• The tree of life, or phylogenetic tree, is a diagram that represents
evolutionary relationships among various forms of life, including
plants, animals, and microorganisms.
• Key Concepts of the Tree of Life
• 1. Domains of Life
• The highest rank in the phylogenetic tree includes three domains:
Bacteria: Prokaryotic cells lacking membrane-enclosed nuclei and
organelles.
• Archaea: Prokaryotic cells with unique genetic and biochemical traits,
many of which are extremophiles.
• Eukarya: Eukaryotic organisms with membrane-enclosed nuclei and
organelles, including unicellular microbes and multicellular plants,
animals, fungi, and protists.
• 2. Taxonomic Hierarchy
• Domains are subdivided into Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family,
Genus, and Species, forming a hierarchical classification system
7. • 3. Historical Perspective
• Initially, life was classified into five kingdoms:
• Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists, and Bacteria.
• American microbiologist Carl Woese introduced the
three-domain system in the 1970s based on genetic
relationships rather than physical traits.
• Woese used the 16S and 18S rRNA for phylogenetic
analysis, revolutionizing the understanding of life's
evolutionary relationships.
• 4. Eukarya Domain
• Combines unicellular and multicellular organisms,
including plants and animals.
• Microbial groups in Eukarya are more diverse than in the
other domains.
8. • 5. Archaea
• Defined as a new domain by Woese, Archaea
includes organisms that thrive in extreme
environments (e.g., high temperature, salinity, or
acidity), called extremophiles.
• 6. Diversity in Microbial Groups
• Microbes dominate the tree of life with
extraordinary variety compared to plants and
animals.
10. Exploration of Microbial Diversity: Culture-Dependent Methods
• Microbial diversity is investigated using various approaches, with
culture-dependent methods being a cornerstone technique.
• These methods involve isolating and cultivating microorganisms
under controlled laboratory conditions, allowing researchers to
study their morphology, physiology, and biochemical properties.
Key steps in culture-dependent methods include:
1. Sample Collection: Gathering environmental or clinical samples
containing microbial communities.
2. Media Preparation: Using selective or differential growth media
tailored to target specific microbial groups.
3. Culturing: Incubating samples under specific conditions
(temperature, pH, oxygen levels) to promote microbial growth.
4. Identification: Employing microscopic, biochemical, or molecular
techniques to classify the cultured microorganisms.
12. • 3. Advantages:
• Isolation of specific microbes for further study.
• Identification of metabolic traits and antibiotic production.
• Enables experimental studies on microbial physiology and
genetics.
• 4. Limitations:
• Many microbes are unculturable under standard laboratory
conditions, leading to an underestimation of diversity.
• Certain microbes require complex or unknown growth conditions.
• 5. Examples of Media Types:
• General Media: Nutrient agar for non-selective growth.
• Selective Media: Contains specific agents to encourage the growth
of certain microbes while inhibiting others.
• Differential Media: Helps distinguish between microbial types
based on biochemical reactions (e.g., blood agar).
13. • Applications of Culture-Dependent Methods in Microbial
Diversity
1. Discovery of Novel Antibiotics and Enzymes:
Culturing diverse microbes helps identify new bioactive
compounds and enzymes for medical and industrial applications.
2. Industrial Fermentation Processes:
Utilized in producing food products (e.g., yogurt, cheese),
biofuels, and pharmaceuticals through microbial fermentation.
3. Environmental Monitoring and Bioremediation Studies:
Aids in isolating microbes capable of breaking down pollutants
or monitoring environmental health.
4. Complementary Role in Microbial Research:
Culture-dependent methods remain fundamental in microbial
studies, complementing molecular and culture-independent
approaches to reveal diversity and ecological roles.