General characteristics of micro-organisms
Microorganisms at the core of biotechnology
Article REF: BIO550 V1
General characteristics of micro-organisms
Microorganisms at the core of biotechnology

Authors : Catherine FOUCAUD-SCHEUNEMANN, Sandra HELINCK

Publication date: May 10, 2009 | Lire en français

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1. General characteristics of micro-organisms

Microorganisms (from the Greek micro, meaning small, and bios, meaning life) are living beings that are invisible to the naked eye. They may be unicellular or multicellular, in which case the cells are not differentiated into tissue. They include viruses, bacteria, protists, algae and microscopic fungi. These ubiquitous organisms represent the largest biomass on Earth.

1.1 Between classification and diversity

Phylogenetic classification, organized around the relationships between living beings, is based on DNA sequences and cladistic analysis. Today, it replaces traditional scientific classification based on multiple characteristics (biological, phenotypic, physiological). It divides living organisms into three domains: archaea, eubacteria and eukaryotes...

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