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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
2.  Domains of Life Dr Thirunahari Ugandhar
The Domains of Life
2.  Domains of Life Dr Thirunahari Ugandhar
2.  Domains of Life Dr Thirunahari Ugandhar
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
Distribution
of Microbial
diversity
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.
Exploration of Microbial Diversity: Culture-
Dependent Methods
• 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).
• 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.
2.  Domains of Life Dr Thirunahari Ugandhar

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2. Domains of Life Dr Thirunahari Ugandhar

  • 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.
  • 11. Exploration of Microbial Diversity: Culture- Dependent Methods
  • 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.